Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-08

Methodism could go here in this enlightened
| country with fair field and no favor. Il was
an interesting experiment, and one that could
not De met with in the older world with its
| tf..citlons and limitations.
| Engiishmen had something to learn here but
perhaps there was something to be learned
| from them Still, when an Englishman came
here he felt asif he had shaken off some Of
tne snAckiesi stepped out into the light, as it
were. They have gotten into Q country where
II made little difference what church a man be-
ionged to, which was not the case in England.
tie supposed a man might become President OF
the United States without regard to his reli-
| gious belief
This conference ought to be great spiritual
power The earlier Methodist preachers had
met not for financial purposes solely, but for
spiritual quickeniug. The supreme want of
the churches was the Holy Ghost. If the dele
they would go back as burning torches to their
churches. He had in his hand John Wesley's
little Bible, from which he had read out the
text In crowds and mobs, and in his later life in
! some fashionable churches to which he had
been invited That Bible was printed in 1855.
and on its fy-leaf it bore the words in Wesley's
handwriting, Live today" This was Wesley's
message to the delegates.
Nh. GEORGE GREEN OF GLASGOW.
Mr.. George Green of Glasgow. representing
the Primitive Methodist church OF England, the
next speaker, made brief acknowledgment Of
the welcome extended. He said that the En-
glish Primitive Methodists we're really the off,
spring. the lineal descendants of the American
Msthodists. Seventy eighty years ago there
wore many camp meetings and revivals in
America. The echo came over the water to
Stafordshirs and some wOrkmen there resolved
to hold one. So there the Primitive church
was born. They had had female ministers. and
In that were a great way ahead Of the other
Methodists This church had sent its delegates
here and they accepted the cordial welcome
held out to them. He hoped the channels of
difference between the Methodists would be
worn down some as q result of this council,
and as the Primitive church had given ny Its
church in Canada in order that unity might
follow, SO it stood ready to make further con-
cessiOns in the same interest.
REV. r.. ABERCRoMBIE.
Rev. r. Abercrombie of Shrewsbury Eng
land. delivered the last address Of the day. He
said he WAS q member Of the last eculnenical
conference and knew of the good that had re-
suited from 1t. He recalled the utterances OF
wisdom. encouragement and brotherly love of
many eminent American Methodists who had
participated in the deliberations of that ccun-
OH. He represented the United Methodist
Free church in England, and said that while
their members were comparatively few yet he
believed thu II hs1 added something to the
sum "f good that had been accomplished by
the Christian church. TWAS eptially an evan
gelistic agency. He expressed the hope that
from this conference will 60 forth q mighty
spirit of influence that shall be felt throughout
the world sud to rhe end Of time.
At the "l1se of Mr.. Ahercrombies remarks
the doxology was sung and the first days ses-
sion closed with prayer by Rev. DIR. Stephen
son.