Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-10
CHRISTIAN UNITY.
The Methodist Ecumenical
Council.
interesting Topics at the Third
Days Session.
Closer Cooperation of the Churches
Strongly Advocated.
Banker Dilps Dilemma-HOw to Treat
the Fur Seal Question-Trainmen's
Convention-GeneraIN News
Gleanings.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-The third day
of the Ecumenical Methodist council
opened with Rev. III. I. Marsh, of En-
gland, in the chair. The topic of the
morning session, Christians United,
was then taken up and an address was
delivered by Rev. DIR. Elsby, of the Wes-
leyan Methodist church, Greenock, Scot
land. In concluding his somewhat
lengthy essay, Rev. Mr.. Selby made a
strong plea for reuniting Methodism.
Rev. DIR. A. Hunt, of New York, and
Rev. Thomas Mitchell, of Hull, England,
followed.
Rev. G.. F. Reed, of Florence, KY, told
or the birth of the Methodist union of
China.
A number of others spoke on the sub
ject, and at the conclusion of the debate
q recess was taken.
After recess, Bishop Warren, of Color
ado, took the chair. Devotional services
were held by DIR. Jewell, of California.
Rev. DIR. A. Cole Smith, of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South, OF Nash
vile, read the first paper of the after
noon session. His subject was Christian
Cooperation.
DIR. Smith, of Tennessee, in a paper
on Christian cooperation, said the
church of God is essentially one in all
ages and places. This may consist with
much variety in non-essentials of creed
and practice, in individual and denom-
national misunderstanding Divisions
and strifes in the church have given
great occasion to the enemies of the
cross to blaspheme the truth. Under
lying all these divisions is the right of
the individual to interpret for himself
the word of God. 1t is the truth which
God has taken long to impress,
but which is worth the time
and pains of teaching it. A
call for closer unity and COOP
Grafton among the churches comes
up from all directions. 1t is true of the
gigantic enterprises and rapid move
ment in the industrial world, that
today's needs are the measures of
tomorrow'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
casus divinosis in the past, must be
cast aside, and the equal rights and
privileges of all Gods people rec
ognized. This recognition must be
Itdl anu uOb lOl WC AafC
long been accustomed to the latter. 1t
has found expression in gushing resolu-
tions and splendid orations. We should
either do more or talk less. Nor does
this recognition OF the ecclesiastic equal
ity of other denominations mean dis
ablement or lack of zeal for our own.
If the clergy would come closer together
they would find the people with them.
A consultation and the adoption of
plans for cooperative work will follow
the recognition of equality among Chris
tians, and mutual respect for each 9TH
er's gifts and labors. In nominally
Christian lands closer union of the
churches is needed to maintain the re-
spect and aid of those who now sheer
at the church for the exhibition of rival
ries and jealousies. 1t is needed to
reach the uncivilized masses of Christ
endom. There are stupendous evils for
the gospel to destroy. The Dissertation
of the Christian Sabbath; loose divorce
laws; the unholy passion for gain which
tramples on right and virtue and gam
bles with the bread of the poor, and,
above ALL that blacklist in the catalogue
of evils-cruel and remolseless as He'll
the legislation of the traffic in intoxicat-
ing liquors, all these and their accom-
panying evils must be destroyed, and
for this work the world must
look to the church.
Rev. w. Redeem, OF the Union Meth
odist free church, Bristol, England,
treated of Christian cooperation in the
old country. He said in England the
time was ripe for final movement.
What could the religious people of En-
gland and America not do if they util-
lied the force within them and sopke
with undaunted courage.
Rev. I. J. Ogburn, of North Carolina,
spoke on the necessity of perfecting the
church itself as preliminary to coopera-
ton.
Rev. James Lehuray, of England. held
that the churches were wasting money
in making proselytes from other
churches. Was it not a shame
full thing that there should be
such a thing as weakening the church
and the cause of Christ for denomina-
tional pride? [Applause.l
Several other delegates made short adj
dresses and the meeting adjourned until
tomorrow.