The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-10
METHODISTS UNITE.
Important Action Taken by
English Delegates.
Great Enthusiasm Manifested at The Ecu
meniCal Conference in Washington.
Stirring Addresses by Leading DiVlneS-Re.
marks on "ChriStian Cooperation"
by DR.. Smith Of Tennessee.
srecial TO THE MORNING CALI

WASHINGTON Oct. 9-l ne tnlIu udy
session of the Ecumenical Methodist Council
opened with Rev. H. T. Marshall of En-
gland in the chair. The usual devotional
exercises were held and the minutes of
yesterdays proceedings approved. The
topic of the morning session, "Christians
United" was then taken up, and an essay
delivered by Rev. DR.. Selby of the Wes-
leyan Methodist Church at Greenock. Scot
land. In concluding his somewhat lengthy
essay, Rev. Mr. Selby made a strong plea
for reuniting Methodism.
Rev. DR.. A. Hunt of New York and Rev.
Thomas Mitchell of Hull, England, fol-
lowed. Rev. c. F. Reed of Florence. KY,
told of the birth of the Methodist Union Of
China.
A number of Others spoke on the same
subject, and at the conclusion of the debate
recess was taken.
After recess Bishoo Warren of Colorado
took the chair. Devotional services were
held, DR.. Jewell of California reading the
Scriptures and delivering the prayer.
CHRISTIAN COOPERATION.
Rev. DR.. A. Coke Smith of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South of Nashville. Tenn.
read the first paper of the afternoon session.
His subject was Christian Cooperation"
He said the church of God is essentially one
in all ages and places. This may consist
with much variety in the non-essentials of
creed and practice in individuals and de-
nomination. MISUNDERSTANDING, divisions
and strifes in the church have given great
occasion to the enemies of the cross to
blaspheme. The truth underlying all these
divisions is this right of the individual to
interpret for himself the word of God. 1t
is this truth which God has taken long to
impress, but which is worth the time and
pains of teaching it, The call for closer
unity and cooperation among our churches
comes up from all directions. 1t
is true of gigantic enterprises and
of rapid movements in the industrial
world To-day's needs are the measures
of to-morrow's work. Shall the church be
behind? No. The fullness of the 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 a cause OF divisions in the
past, must be cast aside, and the equal
rights and privileges of all Gods people
recognized. This recognition must be real,
Il
toned to the latter. 1t has found express
sion in gushing resolutions and splendid
orations. We should either do more or talk
less. Nor does this recognition of the &C.
clesiastic equality OF other denominations
mean the abatement of love or zeal for our
own. If the clergy would come closer to-
gether they would find that the people are
with them. Consultation and the adop-
tion of plans for cooperative work
will follow the recognition of equality
ris
each others gifts and labors. In nominally
Christian lands a closer union of the
churches is needed to maintain the respect
and aid oil those who now sneer at the
church for the exhibitions Of riyairies and
jealousies. 1t is needed to reach the un.
evangelical masses of Christendom. There
are stupendous evils for the Gospel 10 de-
stroy. The desecrati0n of the Christian
Sabbath, loose divorce laws, unholy pas
sion for gain which tramples on right and
virtue and CANDLES with the bread Of the
poor, and, above all, that blackest in the
catalogue of evils, cruel and remorseless as
hell, the legaliZatiOn of the traffic in intoxi-
eating liQuors-all these and their accompa-
nying evils must be destroyed, and for this
work the world must look to the churches.
Rev. w. Redfern OF the Union Methodist
Free Church, Bristol, England, treated of
Christian cooperation in the old country.
He said in England the time was ripe for a
final movement What could the religious
people Oh anu AHl6IlCd IOt 10 III
they utilized the force within them and
speak with undaunted courage?
Rev. L. j. Ogbum of North Carolina
spoke on the necessity of perfectng the
church itself as preliminary to co-opera-
ton.
Rev James Lehuray of England held that
the churches were wasting money in max
ing proselytes from other churches. Was it
not shameful thing that there should be
such thing, weakening the church and cause
of Christ for denominational prideP [Ap-
plausel
ENGLISH BRANCHES UNITE.
The council was about to adjourn, after
number of other addresses, when a note
worthy scene occurred The stirring words
of the speakers all day about cooperation
and unity fwrought the council uD to O
state approaching enthusiasm, when sud
denly President Myers of the English
Methodist Free Church arose and said his
object for long time had been to bring
the Methodist British churches together.
All of his people were willing and anxious,
aud he was instructed by his fellow church.
men here to say they responded to the offer
to unite
Rev. Dr. Marshall of the English Metho-
dist New Connection said, as the President
of one of the minor Methodist bodies, he
reached out his hand, and felt that Metho-
dist unity would follow.
Rev. T. Worthington. President of the En-
glish IndeI endent Methodist Conference,
said his people favored an organized union.
if they could net reach it, they could at
least attain federation.
Rev. F. w. Bourne, President of the En- !
glish Bible Christians, heartily indorsed
what had been said.
AS each of the Presidents Of the English
branches of the church arose aud welcomed
the invitation to come together, the council,
appreciating the first important result of its
deliberations, cheered the speakers. and
when the Rev. DR.. Embry, colored dele
gate. announced that a circular had been
Issued looking to the uniting of all the
African NJ. E. churches, there was
momentary silence, followed by spon-
taneous outburst of the Doxology, and the
conference adjourned amid mutual con-