Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-16
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Discussed by the Methodist Ecumen.
ical Conference Today.
g A PITA L AND ABOR
Some Able Papers Read Upon the Relations
Of the Church to Both-Mr. Farmer-Atkin-
son Explains His Last Nights Remarks-
Report on the Methodist Federation.

The ecumenical conference devoted itself to
the discussion to social problems today, more
especially to the various phases Of the labor
question. The presiding officer of the morn
ing session was Rev. F. W. Bourne Of the Bible
Christian church, and the devotional exercises
were conducted by Bishop Walden and Rev. ].
D. Lamont.
MIR. Henry J. Farmer-Atkinson, NJ. p, the
English delegate who flung down the gauntlet
yesterday before the Primitive Methodists and
the Bible Methodists. was early in mis- seat, with
bright red necktie and the air of q man who
was ready to do or if needs be to die. The
representatives Of tho two sects who were Of
Tended by his remarks Yesterday were also ON
hand before the morning session began and
there was general feeling that the trouble
that began yesterday afternoon was not over
yet and the business session was awaited with
good deal of interest and some nervousness
on the part of those who had the best interests
of the conference at heart.
Mr.. Thomas Shape Of Liverpool read the
minutes OF yesterdays sessions. Yesterday
morning the papers and addresses on
"Roinanism" were SO far delayed by the debate
on the report on Methodist federation that
there was no time for supplementary dis
cussion. This morning Mr.. Farmer-Atkinson
resumed and raised the point that he had made
the motion yesterday. but that no mention of
this fact had appeared in the minutes. His
point was overruled by the chair.
The conference then proceeded to the dis
cussion Of the resolutions on federation con-
tanned in the report Of the business committee
submitted yesterday morning and printed in
full in yesterdays STAR Rev. Mr.. Buckley of
New York was the first speaker on the question:
and he was followed by Rev. Hugh Price
Hughes, who spoke earnestly in favor of the
resolutions, holding that the efforts of the con-
ference would miscarry unless some such step
as this were taken.
Rev. Mr.. Arthur of London spoke against the
idea Of unity being desirable and maintained
that union Was not what was wanted. Union
was not . matter to be forced or rushed
through. To carry a resolution at this sacri-
fice Of feeling was not to advance the cause, but
to do it a positive injury.
DR.. Stephenson spoke upon the subject in
conclusion and in his remarks took occasion to
regret that anything should have occurred yes
terday to give offense to the brethren of the
Primitive Methodist church and assured them
OF the heartiest good will and esteem.
MIR. Farmer-Atkinson rose to a point of or
der, but the chair decided that point of order
could not be raised upon the previous question.
and the conference voted upon the resolutions
imously, and as finally adopted they read as
follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS AS ADOPTED.
First. That the conference recognizes. with
gratitude to God. the growing desire for closer
union among the Evangelical churches of
Christendom, and especially halls with dcvout
thankfulness the extension of that desire
amongst the various Methodist churches.
Second. The conference cannot doubt that
concerted action upon many questions would
be greatly to the advantage Of the kingdom of
a rnnlh hot ,..l,
concerted action might be possible and useful
In the following great provinces of the Meth
odist world. viz: (a) Great Britain and Ireland,
including Its afiliated conferences and missions;
o. the United States, including its missions
and mission conferences; (c) Australasia, with
Polynesia and Its other missions; Cd Canada,
with its missions
Third-This conference, therefore, respect
fully requests the churches represented in this
conference to consider whether such concerted
action be possible, and if SO, by what means
and In what way, and directs the secretaries to
forward copy Of this resolution to the senior
bishop or president Of every conference repre-
sented here.
AGAINST IMMORAL LEGIsLArIoN AND OPIUM
When it was announced that the resolutions
had been carried an English delegate arose and
said that inasmuch as what they had done was
Of such universal importance it would be proper
to sing the doxology. This was not done,
however, as a religious editor from New York
suggested that the doxology at the end of the
A better hymn to sing at this point of the pro-
ceedings would be, Help Us to Watch and
Pray"
Secretary King Of the business committee
presented a number Of resolutions, which were
adopted. The ffrst Of these was as follows:
1.-The conference expresses its devout thank
fulness to Almighty God that through the grow
ing influence Of Christian opinion tho con-
tagious diseases acts have been abolished in the
united kingdom, but still regrets that such inn
moral legislation is still in force in various other
parts of the world. The conference further
declares its earnest hope that the Christian
sentiment will make such immoral legislation
everywhere impossible. And further, the con-
ference records its strong conviction that men
Of notoriously evil life should not be allowed to
occupy places Of public trust and authority"
Upon the motion Of Rev. DR.. Hughes the
resolution was passed without debate. DR..
King then read the resolutions bearing upon
the opium traffic, which had been under the
consideration of the committee for some days.
These resolutions read 40 follows:
Whereas there exists an ever-increasine vice
which is known as the plague of Eastern Asia
and the curse Of China, entailing spiritual.
physical and financial ruin on millions in those
lands, and
:, Whereas this vice arising from the use of
the opium drug was mainly originated and Is
to large extent Perpetuated by the produc-
tion of opium under the direct Auspices of the
Indian government, and
Whereas the conscience of the British pub
Lie is being reused to secure the abolition of
those legislative enactments which sanction
the production Of the drug,
Therefore, BE- it resolved. That We tender 70
British Christians who are seeking for the re-
peal Of those unrighteous parliamentary enact
mehts our warmest sympathy and earnest
prayers for their success in the removal of this
national dishonor and the abolition Of this ap-
palling evil, and hat copy Of this res
olution be sent to Sir Josspk Pease. Mp, -
an expression Of our warm appreciation Of his
perial parliamsnt of Great Britain in con-
demuatim Of this ruinous trslke.
Rev. Dr. Douglas o& CAnadA spoke earnestly
IN support Of the opium resolutions, and DR..
kss9 and d. Hill. two ninaionaries 70 China.