The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-07
Meetinc Of che Grea. Method'sss.


Probably no more remarkable religious
assemblage ever congregated Ia thls coun-
try than the Ecumenical Methodist Confer
ence that is to meet in Washington this
morning. Ecclesiastical and lay delegates
from many differ sat parts Of the world ana
representing all the various forms Of Aeth~
odism will there be brought together.
As its name implies the ecumenical con-
| ference embraces all OF the diverse branches
| Of Methoiism established throughout the
universe. To the opening of this great and
important assenblage, composed OF the
most eminent minds in their denomination,
more than five millions of Methodists are
to-day looking forward with the most pro-
found concern. Through the entire session
the delIbsratlons of the body will be fol-
lowed by them with the keenest interest.
Olly oue conference similar to this has
ever before been held in the world. That
was assembled IN London just ten years ago.
Prior TO that time en-Presbyterien and
Pau. Anglican councils, in which delegates
from all the various bodies in their rsspe stive
communions took part, had been held with
such great success that the Methodists de-
cided to convene a similar general gather
ing of their own creed. But they chung to
their distinctive designation Of conference.
American delegates largely contributed to
the great success of the previous gathering
in London. Throughout the world the blaze
of Methodist fires is supposed by that sect
TO have burned brighter because of the zeal
inspired by the discussions of that confer
ence.
This conference is arranged upon still
larger scale. twill consist of 500 delegates.
Of which 300 are to represent the various
Methodist churches in this country and POO
will be allotted similarly to foreign lands.
Each one of these is q separate and distinct
! organization absolutely independent. AS
shown by the figures printed in another
column of the News this morning. the size
| of the different delegations gives a very
| good idea of the strength of each Of the
churches. As in this country the divisions Of
foreign Methodists are not or docsrinal lines.
All these many branches practically agree
| in their tenets But it is in the form of
| church government that they radically
differ Some follow the methods of the
| Episcopal church, as do the two largest
1 DO0lCo III lu4a SOuuAA "hA4C lu0 L AbSD1 &c
rian system Of government has found favor
| with many.
No laws will be enacted by the ecumeni-
cal conference. 1t is a body absolutely
without legislative powers. But its discus
sions are expected to have wide influence,
and its results to be very far reaching. Some
| close observers think that this may result in
the reuniting of some of them. Where the
MethodiS;s have to contend against state
church, and where there are many small
divisions of Methodlsm, as in England, the
| value Of organic union is especially notice
able, and it is said that there has
been q growing tendency toward union
in that country which will undoubtedly
be strengthened by the present ecumenical
conference.
This gathering will also Illustrate in
striking way the strength of Methoaism III
this country. Moreover the list of churches
represented Will be interesting, in that it
shows the large number Of divlions
in which Methodism hourishes Methodist
churches have besn growing very fast, and
| nearly q million communicates have been
added since the first ecumenical conference
was held. This increase alone is about the
same as the full strength of Methodism in
England, where the sect had its birth.
Such a notable assent lage for such q pur-
pose will have an effect far more general
than to attract the close attention Of
Methodsts alone. 1t will prove an attractive
object of interest to the whole religious
world.