The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-21
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Propitious For the Prosperity Of the
Protestant Churches Of The
World.
characteristics Of the Church That
Will Survive and Subdue
the Earth.
CiosinE Of tho Great Council at
the Capital.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-The twelfth and
Last days session Of tho ecumsnica; Metho-
dist council opened this morning with Rev.
DIR. Allen, of the Wesleyan Methodist
church, England, in the chair. After the
adoption of a resolution for the appoint
ment of a deputation representative of the
conference to visit the Pan-Amerioan con-
ference at Toronto next year, and amend
ments to the resolution p resented yester-
day, relative to the creation of an execu-
tive commission to make arrangements for
the next ecumenical conference: the topic
of the day, 1.-THE Outlook was taken up.
The first essay of the session on the subject
of 1.-The Christian Resources Of the Old
World" was by s. Simon, of the Wesleyan
Methodist church, Kent Bishop keene
and others spoke on the subject.
At the afternoon session a resolution was
adopted stating that the conference views
with deep concern the subtle and persistent
efforts Of the Roman hierarchy to make it's
power felt outside OF it's own proper sphere,
in many lands. to the detrimsnt and danger
OF the civil and religious liberties of the
people. The conference feels bound to re-
mind the members of churches it represents
of the sacred rights and privileges they
enjoy, won for them by the sacrifice and
fidelity of their forefathers, and to call on
them to unite with the members of other
Protestant churches in maintaining their
great in heritarce of freedom, and handing
down the same intact to succeeding genera
tions.
The last essay of the conference was on
the Church of the Future" read by Rev.
DR.. Buckley, editor of the New York
Christian Advocate. He spoke of the evil
portents of the present time, mentioning
business dishonesty. lack of self denial, ex-
~travaRence in living, Accomplishments in
large part by the church of the Sabbath to
world, etc. But this is only, one side, and
there are numerous tendencies of a hopeful
cha racter. The rise of new denominations
seeking after spiritual piety may be expecte d.
No union of Professionalism and Romanism
is possible. The ultimate church
will enforce no theory of inspiration; it
will a simple yet comprehensive creed, re-
vealing the essentials of salvation. The
which inspiration has not spoken will
give place to the Christia n liberty exhib-
tied by ii. James and endorsed and illus
trated by st. Paul; caste and cant will dis
appear; Christian living will be midway be-
tween ascetioism and luxury; science and
AoAi6tSh wall VAIN AnuN Al AdAAs VuOu9A
till the last there may be irreligious scien-
fists and some Christians SO ignorant or
timid as to to fear that increase of knowl-
edge III the sphere of nature necessarily
implies destruction of faith.
Rev. Mr.. Dawson, Of England, said the
church of the future must essentially be
the church of the past. TIL fundamental
could not be altered. The first note of the
church of the future would be simplidca-
ton. Too long had the church been keep
ing it's eye upon heaven and failing to see
injustice On earth. Democracy in the state
mennt democracy in the church, and the
most democratic church would win. Chris
tlans were followers of a divine socialist.
II men could not get socialism of Jesus
would get their socialism of the devil.
Inc socialism OF Jesus did not make us all
equal, it made US all brothers. The church
should not ignore evolution, and a church
blind could not be the church of
the future.
At the conclusion of the last address, by
of the business committee, DR..
the thanks of the conference in various
directions. He made a speech, in moving ,
the resolution, treating it by Sec
He referred to the hospi-
tally shown foreign delegates, etc., referred =
to the presidents visit to the conference, and
said he had done honor to the conference ,
to himself and sat a noble example to +!
The heads of every great community in the /,
world. DR.. Stephenson was very grateful ,
70 the Associated press, which had done +.
for this conference yesterday what never .
been lone for a Methodist conference be- :
fore, in sending to 500 papers the admira- ,
Ole address issued. The resolutions were :
unanimously adopted, the entire audience
Using and applauding.
Bishop Hurst, of Washington. briefly re-
Iponded, and the second ecumsnical con-
after half an hours prayer, ad-
burned sine die.