Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-20
MR.. WIN. BRIMELow.
He Talks OF His Impressions Of Persons and
Things in This Country.

He Talks OF His Impressions Of Persons and
Things in This Country.
One Of the men whose interest in the ecu
| menical conference is far from superficial is
Mr.. William Brimelow. Perhaps he Is enjoy
ing little rest at thi, time, but when he is at
homeland that means Bolton, England-he Is
one Of the busies. of men. Church work,
| politics and public affairs generally occupy
what is left of his time when he gets through
with his editorial work on the Bolton Euening
Netrs and the six Lancashire weekly journals
| associated with it. In addition to the respon-
sibilities indicated Mr.. Brimelow attends to an
| extensive printing business.
''My church requires me to preach" said Mr..
Brimelow TO STAR reporter. II am an Inde-
pendent Methodist-the most democratic Of all
branches of Methodism. Driven out Of Wee
leyan Methodism by the despotic Action of
superintendent ministers, our grandfathers
founded a church governed on the independent
or congregational line, but with q ministry on
the basis OF the Quakers or Society of Friends.
so that We strike not only for free church, but
also for a free ministry. No, we are not
numerous body. but we are now making greater
progress than we have ever done and believe
there Is u place in Christendom for q Methodist
church on our line.
VIEWS ON THE CONFERENCE.
/ what are my views about the ecumenical
conference? Well, was a member of the
ecumenical conference of 1881, and, speaking
candidly, do not think the general level Of
this conference is higher than that of ten years
ago. either as to spiritual influence or debating
power. But the fraternal spirit in Methodism
has grown enormously during the decade and
has found high water in this conference
When William Griffith, the surviving leader in
the last considerable secession from English
Wesleyan Methodism, stood in the conference
OF 1881 many hearts were deeply stirred, but
official Methodsm WAS not greatly moved The
president of the conference that day was in
the rear OF the sentiment Of Methodist kindred
evoked. Today the president of the English
Wesleyan conference, the iarge-minded, broad
hearted, gentle and persuasive DR.. Stephen
son, Is In advance OF the body he represents in
his generous attitude toward the various
branches OF English Methodism The older
Methodists are not ready for organic union,
and for long time it will only be q pleasant
dream. The status of the different ministries,
questions OF property and debts and other
matters present difficulties which make organic
union well nigh impossible. Federation may
come in some form, but the most of fraterniza-
ton hkeiy Of realization for many years is
concerted action among all English Metho-
dists on great public questions. But that will
be great gain for the kingdom Of God.
ENLARGED VIEWS OF THIS COUNTRY.
''What do think Of your country and city?
Chicago and back by way Of Canada has vastly
enlarged and widened my impressions of the
greatness of the material resources Of your
country. In the future l shall excuse little
Boosting on the part of Americans when they
visit England. Washington is a beautiful city
and you have just reason to be proud Of it.
your splendid thoroughfares exceed anything
have ever seen. 1t is pity New York pave
meHts have not been entrusted to YOU hands.
As to your people, so far as 1 have observed
them, they have displayed kindness, coruiality
anu goodness of heart unsurpassed. The
courtesy OF gentlemen and the charming grace
OF ladies' at the receptions OF which there have
been many, will long live in our memories.
Inc appreeiatlve attitude of the President of
the United States toward tho members of the
conference has been we'll supported by the
American people everywhere. Willingness to
information are characteristics We have met
wlthOn all hands.
AMERICAN VS.. ENGLISH JOURNALISM.
"What do think of American journalism as
compared with the English article? American
Journalism is smart, really clever and intensely
amusing to an English journalist But it would
not be tolerated for a day in the old country.
Mr.. Gordon Benefits experiences with the
London Neto York Herald have fully convinced
him of that. Take. for example, your treat
ment of Miss Cleveland We should have
announced the birth, and bulletins for a few
days would have recorded the progress of
mother and daughter. But the liberties your
journals took with the whole circumstances of
the accouchment; the personal appearance
form OF face, color of eyes, size and weight of
the baby, the babys wardrobe, and papa's
emotions because it wasn't boy, would be
denounced in England as disgraceful and would
destroy the reputation OF any respectable
journal. But for all that it was irresistibly
funny. Then in dealing with speeches you
describe them but do not report them, ard GER
talnly you have advantage in spiciness. could
wish Tor combination of our prudence of
style with your goaheadness in journalism.
'One of the things that astounds an English
man about your coCntrymen Is the bitterness
with which your political parties fight out their
contentious. In this respect we are bad enough
In England, in all conscience, but extremists in
language amongst US are comparatively few. In
America, however almost every journal is full
of the coarsest abuse Of one party or another
Contemptuous expressions and all the arts of
satire and ridicule are employed against each
other to an extent not permissible am thank
full to say, amongst us. l must say that / am
astonished that with all your churches, and
chapels, and religious institutions, and univer-
sites. and schools. religion and culture do not
exercise greater influence in moderating the
asperities Of your political life.
1.-The work done by THE STAR merits more than
a little commentator. l have heard q great
many expressions on the subject, and l am GER
tain that the conference is grateful for the
liberal space and excellent reports given 1t.
You are far in advance of the English newspa-
pers in the matter of illustrating important
happenings, and SO far Methodism is con-
cerned you have set high standard for those
daily papers that will have to deal with confer
ences to come"
ENGLISH POLITICS.
"What about English politics?''
$50 MUCH has happened since left England
that can only briefly speak on these matters,
The death Of Parnell closes an unpleasant chap
ter in the history of both English and Irish
politics, for both are bound up together Con-
fusion there will probably be Tor time, but
ere long the Irish Darties will become ono