The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-06

How can any person nave conunonoo IL
any of the bulletins which the MONTAGUE
| T,aa of census takers Is 80 jauntily putting
forth? How can any Congressman yote
single dollar for the completion OF the
worthless monument Of ignorance. caro-
lessness, and mendacity upon which be-
tween $1,000. 900 and 50. 0OO. 900 Of the peoples
money has already been wasted
Tho Pan-Methodist Congress.
Tho first ecumenical conference ever held
| by Methodists was convoked In London ten
years ago. Tho second will open In Wash
| ington on Oct. z. and will continue for two
weeks. We find the scope and purpoee OF
this interesting meeting described In de-
tail by Mr.. w. 7. STEAD and DR.. ALBART
SHAW, the British and American editors OF
the Repieao of Reuie,ps.
It Is Of course understood that this Pan
Methodist Congress Is invested with no
definite authority. It will not assume to
formulate adenominational creed or scheme
Of rules for the shaping Of church govern
ment. The simple purpose OF the meeting
Is that Spokesman Of numerous and widely
scattered bodies may offer reciprocal slim
illus and enlightenment to the Methodist
churches Of the world and thus further their
general efficiency. It is expected that five
hundred delegates will take part in the
convention. OF these three hundred will
represent tho so-called Western Section.
which includes the Methodist bodies OF the
American continent. while two hundred
will be deputed from the Eastern Section.
which comprises Great Britain. Ireland.
Australasia. and the rest Of the world. OF
the three hundred delegates representing
American Methodists, 1875 belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church and q to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. South. the re-
naming ITO being distributed among the
smaller Methodistical sects In proportion
to their relative strength. The 200 dele
gates sent from the Eastern Section are
subdivided among seven British Methodist
scots besides the Irish Methodist Church.
the Australasian Methodist Communion.
the South African Methodist Church. the
West Indian Methodist body. and the Meth
odist Church Of France. Altogether % dis
| tinct ecclesiastical organizations will take
| part In this international conference Of
Methodism. In regard to organization. We
may here point out that the British
churches OF Wesleyan origin. unlike the
American Methodist bodies, do not give
any Of their ministers or superintendents
| the title Of bishop.
The programme Of subjects to be dis
| cussed shows that the conference will not
confine itself to questions of merely denom-
national interest. The part which British
Wesleyans are taking In social and political
reforms. as well as in religious revivals.
will be set forth by some Of the most widely
known and influential members Of their
| several sects, and 1t will be easy for their
| American eo-religionists to demonstrate
that Methodism Is still weighty social.
| religious. and political factor In the national
life OF the United States. Particularly
likely to command general attention will be
the discussion fixed for Saturday. Oct. 10.
Of the relation Of Methodism to scientific
thought. The influence Of scientific prog
ress on religion will be examined In an
essay by Mr.. PERCY WILLIAM BUNTING. the
editor of the London Contemporary Reuie'r.
and the effect of modern criticism on the
Bible Is the topic assigned to the Rev. w.
! T. DAvBoN Of the Wesleyan College at
Richmond. England. In the early part Of
tho following week the Rev. HUGH PRICE
HUGHES, editor Of the London Methodist
Times and one Of the most forcible writer's
and speakers Of his denomination. will ex-
pound his views OF the religious press and
the religious uses OF the secular press
Further addresses on the relation Of jour-
nalism to the Methodist Church are ex-
pected from the Rev. JOSEPH FERGUSON Of
Leeds. England. the President Of the Prim-
tive Mcthodists. and from DR.. E. E. Hoss
OF Nashville. Tenn. the editor Of the
leading organ OF Southern Methodism.
The circumstance that in this ecumenical
council women will for the first time In the
history OF Methodism sit side by side with
men will lend especial importance to the
consideration Of women's work in the
Church. which also is among the topics set
down for next week. The fact that FREQ
education bill has Just been passed at West
minister, and that the relation Of the State
to UNCONVENTIONAL schools has become an
urgent public question In Wisconsin and
Illinois. render peculiar timeliness to the
discussion fixed for Oct. IA upon the attl-
tude OF Methodism toward sectarian and
| State education.
| We have not yet by any means exhausted
the list OF topics to be debated at this con-
gross, and which concern not only the Meth
odist denomination, but the whole English
speaking world. Thus We find Oct. Is allot-
ted to " Romanism."a question which we
hope will be approached In no narrow and
sectarian temper. but In broad and liberal
spirit. Nor is it unreasonable to expect
that tho designated speakers. the Rev. NJ.
T. MYERS Of Rochdale. England. the Rev. l..
II. FIsKE OF Albion. Mich. and the Rev.
WILLIAM NICHOLAS Of Dublin. Ireland. will
recognize the necessity of tolerance and CO.
operation on the part Of all sects calling
themselves Christians.
As regards the next question In the
programme. tho attitude Of Methodism
toward temperance reform and the claims
OF workingmen. 1t Is easy to forecast
the tenor OF the speeches that will be deliv-
cred by representative men. On both sides
OF tho Atlantic Methodism has been the
bulwark OF the temperance cause. and from
the outset 1t has been the mouthpiece Of
the hard-vOrkinp and the DOOR, On labor