The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-22
METHODIST FEDERATION
UNDER DISCUSSION BY TIE ECUMENI.
cal COUNCIL.
Great Confusion and Disorder Created by DR..
Leonard of New York Insisting That
He Be Recognized by the
Chairman.


church presided over the Ecumenical
Methodist council at the beginning OF
of today's session. The first business
before the council was the further con-
sideratiOn Of the report of the business
committee. In response to memo
rial on Methodist federation, DR.. Ste
phenson, in behalf Of the committee,
made an explanation of their purpose
in reporting the resolutions and eX-
pressed the hope that they would pass.
He also suggested few alterations,
so that as reported the resolutions
read as follows:
/. That the conference recognizes,
with gratitude to God, the growing
desire for a close union among the
evangelical churches of Christendom
and especially halls the extension of
that desire among the various Metho-
dist churches.
3. The conference cannot doubt that
concerted action upon many ques-
tions would be greatly to the advant-
age of the kingdom Of God. The con-
ference would suggest that such con-
certed action might be possible and
useful in the following great prov
inces of Methodist world, viz: (A)-
Great Britain, including its affiliated
conference and missions; (B)-The
United States, including its missions
and mission conferences; (C)-Aus-
tralia with Polynesia and it's other
missions; D)-Canada with its mis-
sions.
8. This conference, therefore, re-
spectfully requests the churches rep
resented in this assembly to consider
whether such concerted action be
possible, and if so, by what means
and in what way.
The secretary was directed to form
copy of the resolution to the senior
bishops, or the president of every con-
ference represented.
DIR. McLaren aad Mr.. Warning
Kennedy of Canada earnestly advo-
Gated the first paragraph Of the reso-
luton, and told how union had
been reached by the Methodist church
in Canada. The latter speaker held
that the time was ripe for an organ
lied union of the Methodist bodies
elsewhere.
Rev. DR.. Walter of England called
attention to the gravity of the ques-
ton pending before the conference.
He thought it would be better to
adopt no resolution relative to a
Methodist union at this time, as such
action might be regarded as APP
preaching a violation of the rules that
the council had agreed to accept. The
resolution should read "unity, or pre-
ferably Christian unity instead as
"union and the United Kingdom
instead of "Great Britain" which in
Guided Ireland.
Rev. DR.. Ralph Abercrombie of
England regretted that the proceed
ings of the morning had not been
characterized by that spirit of har-
mOny which seemed to be proper in
the consideration of the subject of
unity. 1t reminded him of verse of
an old hymn-"Into q World of Ruff
fans Sent, Walk on Hostile Ground
A deprecating murmur went up at
this quotation, and hardly had DR..
Abercrombie taken his seat before
there was a struggle for the floor.
DR.. LeOnord of New York insisted
upon recognition, although the chair
had already accorded the floor to DR..
King.
Immediately there followed a scene
of great confusion and disorder, the
chair refusing to recognize DR.. Leon
ard and the latter shouting out re-
peatedly, "Mr. Chairman, 1 rise to a
point Of order"
Nothing could DO done in the way
of transacting business, and consider
able warm feeling developed, as was
shown by remarks of "out of order
exchanged across the floor.
DIR. Travis, an Englishman, called
out that if the delegate PERSISTED in
disregarding the chairs order he
should be suspended, and an Irish
delegate attempted to move Leonard's
suspension. The chairman explained
that he had no wish to sit upon the
member, but he had recognized DR..
King first. But Leonard was not
content, and forcing his way towards
man. Mr.. ChairmanW
| Inc Cnalfllldu DeSOuSuG lLcOildlu w
read the whole Of the rule for the
guidance of the conference in such
cases and he would see his error. AS
the doctor still persisted in claiming
the floor, the disorder swelled and the
British delegates Indignantly pro
tested against the interruption of the
proceedings. Finally DR.. Hugh Price
Hughes of England, managing tt
make his clear voice heard, in a feel
inc manner exclaimed that, having
egard to the credit of a great assem-
bly, like this, on which the eyes OF the
whole world were resting, Leonard
should bring himself to obey the
chair. If he had anything to say
upon the subject he would have al
opportunity later. | beg Dr.. Leonard
not to bring the whole assembly int
contempt.
DR.. Lanaham, of Baltimore, eX
claimed that DR.. King had the floOl
and added: at is out of order
for any body to try to bulldOzc tho
chair"
These appeals had the desired effect
and Leonard abandoned his effort tC
! ,,,oI-o b;C DOipt Of Ordop on5 Dr KiOO