New-York tribune., 1891-10-16
METHODISTS IN A WRANGLE.
THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL BEGINS ITS SES
SION WITH A LIVELY DISCUSSION.
MR.. ATKINSON, NJ. p, RAISES AN UPRoAR IN THE
MEETING-AN APOLOGY DEMANDED FROM
InM-TEMPERANCE DISCUSSED
IN THE AFTERNOON.
IN THE AFTERNOON.


Ir1M-TEMPERANCE DISCUSSED
IN THE AFTERNOON.
Washington oct 15.-The Rev. DR.. Donnelly, of tho
Irish Methodist Church. presided over the Ecumenlcal
Methodist Council at the beginning OF the eighth days
session. In the reading of the minutes reference was
made TO an "excellent mpromptu Address" objection
was made first TO the use of the adjective "eNcel-
lent" and afterwar TO that OF lmprompu, ana they
were stricken out Notwithstanding Mr. AtRlhsohs
motion to leave the word "mpromptu" 1n on inc
ground that well understood that Theodore HOOKS
end Thomas Hoods "impromptu' Jokes were cafeluiy
prepared a week in advance. Mr.. Atkinson also op-
jected to the exclusion Of laymen from the presiding
officers chair, saying: 81 have an uncontrolaore
desire to knock down some american bishops, ana il
can't do II from the chair must, fear rom t'e
foor' (Laughter)
The first business before the Council the further
consideration OF the report of the business commt'ee
In response to the memorial Methodist federaton
and Dr. Stephenson in behalf of the committee maze
an explanation Of the purpose In reporting the csoiu-
tons, and expressed the hope that they would pass
lie also suggested few alterations in the original text
so that as reported the resolutions read as follows
10 God the growing desire for closer union among the
ssa with deySnt TbaHkfineSS the extension Of that
desire among the varous Methodist churchcs' .s
action upon many questions would be greatly TO the
adva tage TO the kingdom OF Cod Inc 20 Sohieenco h @
.li sn1 "ss% n IN S 1 Gsat Bsn including its
incindnr its missions and mission conferences; Aus
tralasia, with Polynesia and other missions; Canada
with It's missions.
Thrd-This Conference therefore especially REQUESTS
The churches rprsented in this assembly TO consider
whether such concerted action be possible. and IL
so. by What means and in what way, and directs the
secretaries to forward copy OF this resolution TO ,ne
senior bishop president OF every conference repre-
sentcd here.
DR.. McLarn and Warren Kennedy, of Canada
earnestly advocated the first paragraph Dr. Leonard,
of NewYork complained that the recognition of speak
ers had been generally confined t2 delegates from
country.
Mr. Atkinson replied that the last three speakers
had been from DR.. Leonard's side Of The water.
DR.. Leonardo said from the other country
Mr. Atldnson-I am from the country and my friend
is from one of the other countries Q-aughtell lie
went on to say that this subject Of union had been
thoroughly discussed at the first Council ten years
ago II union was wanted The way 10 get it was 10
"peg away" at it,
The Rev. Dr. Waller, OF England thought i would
be better TO adopt resolutions relative to Methodist
union at this time, ms such action might be regarded
as violation of the rules The resolution should
read "unity' or preferably Christian unity" instead
of union. and United Kingdom" instead OF Great
Britain" which excluded Ireland.
The Rev. DR.. Ralph AbercIombe. of England. re
greod that the proceedings of the morning had not
been characterized by that spirit of harmony which
be proper in the consideration of the subject
Of unity. 1t reminded him of the verse of the old
hymn
Into a world of rufIians sent,
! walk on hostile ground"
A deprecating murmur went up at this qu0auon,
u hardly had DR.. AbercrOmbie taken his seat before
There struggle for the floor.
Dr. Leonard. OF New-YOrh insisted upon recogni
ton although the Chair had already accorded the floor
to DR.. King. Immediately there followed scene OF
great conf sion and disorder, the Chair refusing to
recognize Dr. Leonard and the later shouting out re-
Dcatedly Mr.. Chairman Mr.. Chairman; rise to
point OF ordero Nothing could be done in the way
Of transactng business and considerable warm
feeling shown by remarks, out OF order, eN-
changed the floor. DR.. Travis, all Engilshman
called out that If delegate persisted In dsregarolng
the Chairs orders he should be suspended and an rsh
delegate attempted TO move DR.. LeonaN's suspension.
The Chairman explained that he had no wish to sit
upon member but he had recognized DR.. King first
But DR. Leonard not content, and forcing his way
toward the front kept calling out" MT Chairman
Mr. Chairman" The Chair besOuglt Dr. Leonard 10
read the whole rule for the guidance OF the Conference
In such and he would sec his error AS the
Doctor still persisted in claiming the foor the disorder
Iweed and the British delegates Indignantly protested
against the interruption OF the proceedings Finally
Dr. Hugh Price Hughes OF England, managing - make
his clear voice heard. in scandalized manner ex-
claimed that having regard to the credit of great
assembly like this which the eyes OF the whole
world were resting DR.. Leonard should bring himself
TO obey the Chair. If he had anything 10 say upon
the subject he would have the opportunity later on
beg Dr. Leonard not 70 bring the whole assembly in'o
contempt DIR. Lanahan, of baltimore, exclaimed
that Dr. King had the floor and added, 1t IS out OF
order for anybody TO try 10 bulldoze the Chair
These appeals had the desired effect Dr. Leonard
abandoned his effort to make his point Of order. and
Dr. King, the secretary, was recognized His object
81 appeared, to postpone the further discussion OF
the subject Of federation until Omorrow morning, and
although Mr.. Hughes and Others urged that vote
be taken az once on the adoption Of the first resolu
ton. on the grou1d that otherwise the "wrangling"
vould be resumed tomorrow, DR.. Kings motion TO
adjourn the debate prevailed by vote Of yeas, 15S:
nays, 146.
The general topic Of discussion at the morning
session Of the Conference under the regular ORDER was
Romanism The essay, which was read by the Rev
NJ T. Myers, president Of the United Methodist Free
Church Rochdale England, upon the special sub
tect Of the present position Of Romanism.
II is the boast OF the Church Of Rome that
She never changes and is infallble In two I'M
portant respects she has shown wonderful tenaciY'
First, the Church Of Rome has maintained uniform
opposition TO the free circulation of the Holy Scrip
tures Second the second Is her settled purpose
and her unscrupulOus methods of propagating
and promoting her interests. Sixty years
ago beyond q number of Irish laborerS IN the
provfncal towns and few old families, there
were few Ronanlsts I'm England convert from
prOtestanism TO POpery would nave Deeh as great II
monster as a convert to Buddhism or Odin worship.
Two causes have contributed to the altered drcum-
stances The French Revolution and the rise and sue
cess of Methodism other great Protestant insttu-
Hous To-day the Church OF Rome boasts that some
hundreds Of the nobility and some million and Wlf
of the people Of England and Scotland are members OF
her communion The subject of education is that most
likely 10 form the battle-ground between the two great
contending parties into which we are naturally dvld-
inr ourselves both in England and America. One
thing Is all bat essential to the success Of the eause Of
truth and 10 speedy realization Of all the hopes OF our