The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-08

| WASHINGTON, oct. 7.-tSpecial The
second Ecumenical Methodist Council
met this morning in the Metropolitan
Methodist Episcopal Church. This edi-
ice has larger seating capacity than
any other Methodist Church in the city.
Ihere were no temporary decorations to
embell'sh the sewers beauty of its
Gothic interior, and the only chanpe
made in the interior arrangements was
an addition to the platform back of the
pulpit to afford tho necessary room for
distinguished guests.
seated on the platform were Bishon
bowman, OF st. Louis; Bishop Hurst.
OF washington; Rev. DR.. Arthur, OF
England; DE- A. Carman, of Canada;
Kew. DIR. Stephenson, president of tho
British Wesleyan Conference, London:
Kew: DIR: Joseph Furgerson, Of Leeds.
England, president of the Primitive
Methodlst Chnrch; Bishop Keener, of
New Orleans; Bishop Wayman. of hal.
tlmore, of the a. NJ. e. Church. and
Kew. 5. f. Huestes, of Halifax. The
body OF tho church was nearly filled
with delegates, nearly 500 being pres.
ent' and tho galleries and aisies and
all valuable space wero filled with
| oPCCvdLOT
Tho morning session was opened by
Rev; blshop Thomas Bowman, of st.
Louis, who read tho SEED HYMN from
tho Methodist Hymnal, bepinninr.
Jesus Name High Over All" Tho en-
tire assembly rosc and sang tho HYMN
TO tho accompaniment of tho great
organ.
/ bishop j. c. Kconer, of New Orleans.
was called upon for prayer and made n
fervent appeal for Divine blessing upon
the labors of tho conference, CLOSING
with the Lords Prayer.
FOL owing tho prayer the assembly
reclted the APOSTLE sCreed, led by Rev.
bishop Wayman, of tho African Metho-
dlst Episcopal Church, of Baltimore.
Dr. Huestes, OF Novau Scotia, read the
sixth chapter of Isaiah. When he
closed, Rev. DR.. Arthur, of London,
read the 055th number of tho Hymnal'
Come, Lot Us Anow Our journey Pur-
sue," which was sung by the ontire as
| sembly.
Or. Arthur, rising, expressed his re-
greet that the failure of his voice
would not permit him to deliver tho
sermon which he had prepared to open
the council and rendered his thanks to
Rev, DIR. Stevenson, president of tho
Wesleyan Conference, who would kindly
undertake to read it for him. DR..
Stevenson then proceeded to read tho
sermon.
At the close of the sermon Rev. DIR.
Stephenson read a number of Scripture
selections, the audience standing and
joining in tho reading. At its conclu-
sion the Sacrement OF the Lords Sup
per was administered, Bishop Foster
reading the service. Recess was then
taken until gao D. m.
When the council reassembled. the
presiding officer, Bishop Keener, took
his seat in the chair which is intended
as gift to the proposed American I'm
iversity. The chair aaad been brought
into Tho church during the recess. 1t
was constructed from two oak beams
taken from the old City Road Chapel,
London, tho corner stone of which was
laid by John Wesley. II is of massive
proportions, solid and firm in design
and makeup.
Surmounting the back of the chair is
an American eagle, with outspread
wings, having against it's lreast starred
and striped shield of the United States,
appropriately colored. Beneath the
eagle and shield in carved crimson let
tiers is the motto, "E Pluribus Unum."
On ono eide of the eagle is figure of a
lion bearing the royal arms of Great
Britain. On the other side will be put
the corresponding figure of lion sup.
porting the heraldic devices of Canada
and her colonies.
Immediately below the national bird
and the national motto is very finely
carved medallion of John Wesley, on
the right and left side of which are the
quotations, "Unite the pair so long dis
joined" and knowledge and vital
piety" Tho arms IF Cbr;St Chnrob ri
lege, Oxford, are painted On an ova
shield on one upward continuation of
tho chair arm, and opposite is a blank
shield, on which will be painted the
arms OF tho American University.
The arm rests are, like the remainder,
OF wood work. of solid oak, carved to
represent winged lions. Above them
arc palms mblematic of peace. On the
front OF the framing, beneath the for
ward edge OF the seat, are the carved
figures "lS0l.". The seat and back OF
the chair arc upholstered in garnet
hued en- bossed leather.
The Bible used during tho conference
is cory Of the Scriptures known as
The y worth Bible" 1t was used by
Samuel Wesley, father OF John Wesley,
in church at Epworth, and by the
clergymen who succeeded him. 1t is
loaned to the conference by Rev. DR..
w. III. Boole. of New York
The presiding officer, Bishop Keener,
opened the afternoon session by read
ing tho sevcnty-second Psalm, and then
the sllth hymn, "IIigh on His Ever
lasting Throne" was sung by the as
sembly. Tho Rev. DIR. William Mast.
the venerable German clergyman from
Cincinnati, offered short prayer. and
hn Ia