The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-15
Some Methodist Celebrities as They An
pear at the Ecumenical Council
Peculiarities That Distinguish the English
Delegates from the American, Both Phys.
icslly and i'm Manner Of Talking.
Religious Training and Culture of the
Young Ably Discussed Yesterday.
National Worlds Fair Commissioners Asked
to Close the Exposition on Sundsy-In.
diana Presbyterian Synod Opened.
METHODIST LEADERS.

METHODIST LEADERS.
The Great Men OF the Ecumenical Council
as Pictured by an On-Looker.
Special Correspondence OF the Indianapolis journal.
WAsuINGToN, Oct 12-The first week of
this great conference has more than full
filled the promise of its auspieious opening.
1t is the universal testimony that Method
ism, familiar as ii IL with big meetings,
never saw ir on this wise before-neyer 60
much enthusiasm, never such an assembly
of intellectual giants never such n steady
flow of eloquence, never such display of
theological learning. and, what is better
than all else, never = conference IN all
the history of this much-divided household
which has taken the practical steps this
has toward harmony and final union. One
thing which has given perennial interest
to the proceedings of this body is the pres
ence in it of so many celebrities from
abroad. The listener feels all the time
that in some sense the representatives OF
two great nationalities are in forensic COM
bat with each other. IL is inevitable, too.
that this same feeling must be shared by
the speakers, the English swsyed by q
laudable ambition to appear at their best
before Americans. and Uncle Sam being
equally determined to make as favorable
an impression as possible upon the mind of
John Bull
these Englishmen are splendid specimens
of manhood. Most of them have not only
the rubicund faces common to their coun-
trymen. but all the other marks of good
living for which their race is noted. They
are not so tall as the Americans nor 50
broadly framed, but for rotundity of out
line and for that physical quality called
stockiness they are far ahead of them. In
attire the majority still affect both the
clerical vest and the white stock; but there
10 an obvious revolt from this strait
laced custom, for some are as far
removed in their makeup from
as are any of their brethren in Amer
ica. With the gift Of speech they are en-
d0wod to an extraordinary degree. To be
sure, many of them have the Gladstoniau
habit OF drawing out an occasional monos
tone while waiting for the proper word to
occur to them; but even these say what
they start ont to say in the course of time,
while those who are free from this habit
really charming, and, for the most part.
their Englishisms which are constantly
apparent, only add, this charm.
PECULIARITIEs OF ENGLISH DELEGATES.
OF course, some things In these English
orators are constant source Of diversion
to-, 1t seemed very funny TO hear Will
lie -thur call the chairman's gavel ga
i, .h broad accent on the a. and just
Il lch SO to hear DIR. Stephenson make
two sentences out of the word "saved;n
but this is English. we know, and hence,
though it CRATES on our ears, we can readi-
ly excuse IL. We can also forgive the gem
tleman last named for refining evil INTO
When, however, he applies this re-
fined rule of speech TO Methodism's
old-time enemy, and insists upon CALI
ing his satanic majesty the devil. still
giving very soft and ng,drawn sound TO
the last syllable, as though he might be
fearful OF giving offense to the person des-
ignated, we cannot help protesting. Con-
stantly. too; are we diverted by the Eng
lish Hear. hear" which is John Bulls way
of informing q speaker that he has hit the
nail on the head; for the solemn and en-
phatic way in which usually, with 10
haps. more intent stare toward the plat
form and q tighter compression OF
the ips-he Dlurts cut this English
form of Endorsement, leaves the
novice uncertain at times whether
he approves or Gisapproves. and makes ii -
question whether, instead of the proverbial
nall having been hit on the head. Mr.. Bull
himself has not suffered such an experience.
Stlll EDHleU anu ". lOE TO-
day we heard the same expression from
prominent delegates on the American side
of the house. and really, who shall say that
the breaking out among the American
brethren of O mild form of anglophobia of
this kind may not be another sign that
Methodist union is ut hand.
But with all their peculiarities who can
help admiring these sturdy representatives
of British Methodismf The fact is they
have taken the conference by storm. For
some reason, the Americans have so far.
metaphorically speaking. taken back seat
in this conference. Not only have they
floor, but they have shown less than their
usual ability when the possession of the
floor had been accorded them. Thus, the
English have had the right OF way, aud
candor compels the statement that they
have travelled this way at a rapid and even
startling gait. With rare exceptions oil
their speakers have done well and most of
them have sustained their parts admirably.
GIFTED TRIO.
The leaders on the British side are Ar
thur. Stephenson and Hughes The first of
this gifted trio 10 regarded by the confer
ence with feeling Of absolute yeneration.
He is kind of father to the brethren. His
words fsll on their ears like the utterances
of some sacred oracle. He speaks at nearly
every session; always. too, by unanimous
| consent-for no one else wishes the floor
| always in what he says the happiest con-
| ceivable blending Of conservatism and
progressiveness. An old man, with one
| of the youngest of hearts. he still is
never so weak as to subvert Judgment
| TO feeling. nor so welded TO the past as 10
stlfie feeling by the preconceptions OF a
| long experience. On the subject of Meth
| odist union he feels and speaks like one
| who has evidently looked at all sides of the
| question. Ii is quite apparent that be sees
| the difficulty in the way, and equally 80
| that he does not despair of the final removal
| of these obstacles. Take care. take care,D
| he says, that In yonr ca gerness after union
| you do not sacrifice liberty" On another
| occasion he declares. "All these Methodist
| divisions represent deep convictions" and
still again. The great enemy of unity has
| been the search after uniformity"
Hugh Price Hughes holds n leading place
| in the conference by virtue OF qualities di-
rectly opposite from those for which Mr..
| Arthur is distinguished. lie 10 young.
dashing. tremendously aggressive, full OF
| enthusiasm. His one watchword 10 reform.
He enters the arena of debate like q plumod
| knight. IL we were sure no one would put
into the comparison moro than is in
| tended. we shonld call him the James a..
! Blaine of Metbodism. There Is something
| about him which appeals TO the popular
fancy. He is such a spectacular hgure-
! without perhaps. Intending 20 be so-that
he dazzles even when he fails TO convince
aud wins the love of thousands who cannot
fully indorse his methods lt n