Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-18

DOCTOR may have mOdiied SOneWlht.
This IL not probable. however. though ~
may he possible. for English Methodists
o. the old school do not change very
fast nor very much. Hence. 1t would
seem 10 be. rs we have said. peculiarly
gracious dspcnsation Of Providence
which, IN tins second Ecumenical year. or
GAINED Or. Rigg TO the soclusIon OF pri-
vate life, and sent over as the leader OF the
British Weslevans. DR.. Stephenson, who.
when he is challenged by the leading men
of the smaller sects TO enter into confer.
ence with them upon this question OF
closer aiiliatiOn and final unlon-as he was
tho other day--menfully takes up the
gauntlet and procaims to the Methodist
hosts of the two hemiapheres tina. such o
conference shall be held.
AGAINST UNITY.
The union sentiment on the American
side Is. unfortunately. not so pronounced.
From the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South there has come thus far not one
word distinctly favorable to organic unity.
and If DR.. Ioss, the brilliant editor of the
leading organ of that Church, correctly
represents the feeling OF his constituents.
such union. TO use his own words, II
not impossible is u matter OF tremendous
difficulty" Before union can be expected,
the churches, lie sad. " must quit manau-
wiring against each other, and he had no
hesltancy IN adding that where one branch
Of 3lethodlsts was established in small
town and another came along and tried TO
get a foothold the devil did not need to
be personally present III that town:
Such was the tenor OF the only
speech from the sUutherners which has
treated directly of organic union and
with one notable exception, no utter
Il l. fov rnt. l.. 70 n n
jcct has come thus far from the brethren
of the North. Dr. Leonard. like DR.. Hoss,
could see only the difficulties III the way,
and DIR. Hartzell could only offer for the
Cancellation of southern feeling the work OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church amongst
the southern negroes. Happily, though,
one trumpet gave out silvery tone which
could not be mistaken. This was when
crowned with the glory Of fifty-six years
of ministerial service. his frame trembling
with emotion, his eyes glistening with
thetic from the deep feelings which almost
choked it, tie venerable Bishop Foster
arose and addressed the Conference.
The plea OF this gentleman was EN-.
phatlcallv for organic union, nor could
any listener have the slightest doubt that
what was sad came through one Of the
clearest and strongest intellects, from one
of the purost and sincorest OF hearts.
That the Conference should be deeply
moved by such an appeal was as inevita--
bic as that the leaves of the forest should
be loosed from their hold by the
autumn wind. Tears flowed in copious
effuslon, and, as if in further
token Of coming union, there was
such blending OF English Herr,
hears" with American "Amens." rs was
perhaps never heard in any assembly be-
fore. If only, Just a. that moment. when
Bishop Foster ceased 70 speak. some grand
hero Of the Church South had followed IN
tne same strain who can hclp believing
that III the hot atmosphere of such a scene
many of the barriers of separation would
have been burned away. or that the APP
plause evoked by such a den0tcment would
have found its echo in Methodist hearts
all over this great nation?
THE BLACK BROTHER.
While the white delegates are hating
betwixt two opinions upon this Question.
the brother III blacks shaking hands with
himself Ill regard 10 tin othor words.
be l. conferrng with his other DARK
skinned brethren t. see II the time has
not come for united African MethOdism
on tins continent. And really. II the
white Methodists OF America will not show
tue negro the way 20 union, what could be
more fitting than he should show the IN the
way to this goal; Perhaps. indeed, IL TINS
race was the cause OF the greatest Of the
Methodist divisions. this imitation
amongst them Of plan for healing these
divisions il precisely the thing we might
naturally have expected. This union of
the colored forces, should II be reached.
would take a large contingent of colored
members from the roster OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the aggregated
Africans. gathered into one fold. would at
once present themselves to the gaze of
mankind a. the second largest of all the
Methodist bodies III the world.
The BETTER HALF.
It is pity to introduce the better half
last. but the fact Is many OF tho English
delegates have brought their wives and
daughters with them, and 10 was our de-
llghtful privilege yesterday TO hear several
OF these speak. Their special theme was
the wOrn they are doing amongst the out
cast and the poor in London. Mrs. Hugh
Price Hughes wore the garb of "a Sister OF
the People an order which she formed and
has since governed. Her dress and bonnet
were black, the former being relieved by
conspicuous white cuffs, and an ample
rundown collar. From the back OF the
bonnet dropped gray veil, and the strings,
which were OF the same color and material.
were tied under the chin III large bow.
She is Of the same WHY. nervous tempera-
ment a. her husband, and though not so
fluent Is evidently quite as intense a he,
and of course, being woman, Is II any
thing, even more interesting. Mrs. BamfOrd
Slack appeared in q suit of hight brown.
with a large, stylish hat Of the same shade.
In seeming rivalry with her flashing black
eyes, the purcst diamonds flashed at
her ear-tips. though. after all, the best Jew
els she displayed were the Jems Of polished
rhetoric which sclntiilated IN such charm
lug English from h0r Hps. Young. hand
some. cultivated. she made striking
figure on the platform. She IL one OF q
host Of well-bred English women who are
illustrating to-day that the best use Tor
culture and refinement il IN seeking 10
help those of their own sex who have
been unfortunate The world. the flesh,
and the devil. She said, had long under
stood the influence of woman for evil.
and the Church should show now what "A
mighty influence woman could exert II
Iavor of good.
Another who spoke was the charming
daughter of Rev. +. Is. Stephenson. This
lady, like Alrs. Hughes. wore the garb of a
Wesleyan Sisterhood. though 1t differed
from that Of the latter. Her work Is
amongst orphans. and to those for whom
she labOrs she - known as Sister Dora. Al
the same meeting bright-faced young
lady, the daughter Of that hon0red man.
William Arthur, sang III sweet. plantive
tones hymn Of Christian invitation, and
the reader may be sure. from the part
taken in II by so many women from abroad.
who united TO the charm of good looks the
grace of elOquence. the fragrance OF
sanctlty. and the obvious stamp of high
birth and refinement, that the OCCASION was
nor soon to be forgotten.