Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-10

| Nistd, tHTOuSu WHICH the car sped
with velocity that caused the wind to whistle
| and shrek and bring tears to the eyes and sent
the trees whiring past in dizzy rspidity.
Suddenly the car slowed up, and ere We had
| time to regain our breath and release the hold
| on our hats We fouod ourselves at the depot
| and the car ready to once more make its cir
| cuitous journey Of eighteen miles over the
switchback. CHI.
THE GREAT METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Purposes Of the Gathering-The Men WIN
Voice the Sentiment OF the Church.
When the late pope summoned the men,
orable ecumenical council in Rome It was for a
definite purpose. What is the definite purpose
of the ecumenical Methodist conference? It is
not to declare any dogma or to adopt any
policy Of administration. nor is it either for
consolidation or confederation. 1t is simply to
discuss questions which are Of common in
terest to all Methodists as Christians, to
joy personal social communion and to
draw closer the ties of UNCONVENTIONAL
fellowship. In other words, il is of the same
general character as the Pan-Presbyterian
council, which is designed to bring together in
conference all the churches Of the Reformed
faith holding the presbyterial system, and as
the international Congregational council which
INV iSSOhtiN III hOHuOH anu III WHICH was rep
resented the Cong regationalism Of the world.
The movement toward an expression of Chris
tan unity, which was begun when the evan
gellcal alliance was organized, and which is
manifested in almost every city or town of
considerable size in the country in Young
Mems Christian Associations, has in Presby-
terrain, Congregational and Methodist alliances
taken denominational form, and it is not un-
likely that the example will be followed by tn e
Baptlsts; This movement is signal illustra-
fYnr, nft h.. Al
century toward coming together OF the va
rious divisions OF evangelical Protesta ntism
1t has required nearly year to complete ar
rangements for the conference. This work has
been conduc, ed by an executive committee di-
vided into two sections-the eastern section
representing the churches Of Great Britain,
Europe and Australia, and the western section
consisting OF representatives of the Methodist
branches in America. The program and the
rules for the government OF the conference
were nrst drafted and then passed back and
forth across the Atlantic between the two Sec
lions, receiving at every transit alterations and
amendments until q final agreement was
reached. Working under this difficulty, and
being enabled to compare views only by CORE
spondence. it is not. strange that nearly a year
has been required to adjust all differences of
views and to secure o satisfactory result
Among the men on this side Of the water who
have given the most time and attentio to this
delicate class are Bishop John F. Hurst of
"noAAH6toH. suc new JOuu W .l1amllLOn. ~. d..
OF East Boston, and the Rev. James NJ. King
ID. D., of this city. Bishop Hurst has served
as chairman to both the executive and program
committees and will deliver the address of well
come to the delegates at Washington. Drs HAM
iiton and King have together conducted the
have held the laboring oars. Much Of the sue
cess OF the conference will be due to their ef-
forts
Among the more notable men elected to
represent foreign constituencies are the Rev.
j. D. Stephenson, DID,, president of the
Wesleyan Methodist conference of Great
Britain. position Of the highest honor, car
rying with 1t special privileges and respon-
sibiiities; the Rev. William Arthur, An ex-
president, but with an even greater title to
the respec. and esteem Of his brethren in his
scholarly requirements, in his lovely personal
character, and in the spiritual enrichment
which his Tongue OF Fire and other writings
have given his numerous readers. He has
the reputation OF being q strong and earnest
preacher. He was invited to deliver the ser
mon at the opening Of the conference. 1t
will be disappointment to many to learn
that though he is in this country, and will
attend the conference, he feels that his strength
is hardly equal to the delivery Of the discourse,
which will be read by Presiden. Stephenson
Mr.. Arthur begins to feel the weight Of years.
He was member of the first ecumenical con-
ference, and charmed those who attended il by
the ease with which he acted as interpreter for
JUN Atdiidn anu french SPEAKERS.
Ore of the best known Englishmen in the
company from abroad, Welshman by birth,
is Hugh Price Hughes. the leader of what is
known as the Forward Movement" in Lon
don, and the editor Of the London Methodist
The Forward Movement" is described az an
energetic effort to establish Christian socialism
Of the spiritual type among the masses in Lon
don; to give them the gospel Of love, and re-
generate them socially as well as religiously.
Services are held in large halls, and fine music
Is one OF the attractions. The movement has
had, 1t Is said, phenomenal success. Mr..
Hughes is in great demand as a preacher and
speaker, and will be heard in nearly all our
cities besides Washington.
The Wesleyan conference in France chose it's
president M. Lelieyre, D. D., as q delegate
He Is the most distinguished Wesleyan in
France. From Australia comes a large dele
CATION, including among its laymen no less a
parsonage than Chief Justice g. j. WAY of
south Australia. The editor of the Contempt
Tary Review, Percy ". Bunting, 10 one Of the
English Wesleyan delegates and has u place in
the program. Presidents of the conferences Of
the various Methodist bodies In Great Britain
are also to be in attendance at Washington, and
| 1t may be said that those who see the foreign
| Of foreign Methodism.
Among the representatives of the one Meth
odlst church In Canada (there are but few con-
gregations not embraced within it) DR.. A. Car
man must be mentioned. He is at present the
|
gave up the title Of bishop when his church
entered into the compact which made all Meth
odist bodies in Canada one, but he retains the
essential duties OF the episcopate in his present
| Office.
| The conference room in Washington. the
spacious Metropolitan Church. Of which DR..
George h. Corey Is pastor, will be good place
to get view Of the collective episcopate Of
American Methodism. The entire boards OF
bishops OF the Methodist Episcopal church and
the Methodist Episcopal church south have
been elected delegates, though some Of them
Will doubtless not be able TO attend. -Four OF
the i've distinctively colored churches are Epis.
copal and bishops are also among their dele.
gates. These colored churches have some strong
snd notable men. Bishop d. A. Payne. NOV
very aged, 10 no mean scholar; Bishop Tame,
Is q polished and vigorous writer; Bishop Ar.
nett, Bishop Hood and Bishop Harris are dis
tinguished for their administrative abilitie,
and DIR. j. c. Price has wide reputation Is an
| orator.
Men Of various countries and different race,
will help to give the conference an ecuusenica
character. and the enterprise of the American
press Will give Its proceedings wider currenc,
than those Of the iirst conference in 1881 OBJ
tanned by the aid Of London Journalism.
No Treaty Between Germany and Bslgium
At public meeting yesterday the burso
master Of Brussels said that he was author
lied to deny the report that q treaty hat