The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-16
THE METHODISTS.
Discussions Yesterday at The EGumenieal
Conference in Washington.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-KeV. Dr. Dom
nelly of the Irish Methodist Church pre-
sided over the Ecumenical Council to-day.
The first business was the further consider
alton of the report of the Business Commit
tee in response to the memorial on Mstho-
dist Federation, and DR.. Stephenson, in be-
half of the committee, made an exclamation
of the purpose in reporting the resolutions.
and suggested a few alterations in the orig
inal text. In the debate over the resolution
DR.. Leonard of New York insisted upon
recognition by the Chair, although the floor
was already accorded to DR.. King.
scene OF disorder ensued and nothing
could be done in the way of business. Con-
siderable warm feeling was shown. and as the
disorder: swelled and British delegates indlg-
nantIy protested against the Interruption oil the
DR.. Leonard finally abandoned his effort to
make point of order, and DIR. King moved TO
adjourn the debate on the resolution until TO.
morrow. Carried.
THE MORNING DISCUSSION.
The general topic of discussion in the morning
session was Romanism.
Rev. NJ. I. Myers, President OF the Primitive
Methodist Free Chutch OF Rochdale, England,
Romanism." In the course OF his remarks he
said: "The present occupant OF the chair OF St.
PeIer Is man In every way worthy OF his posi-
tOn, bui dIscunten;ed he lives to regain his tenn
poral power, lost more than twenty years ago
If we are not mistaken, there Is no need to fear
any attempt Oh the part of ROmansm TO usurp
temporal power either in Great Britain or Amer
Ica. For once his Holiness has spoken out with
in Ieliigence and precision that must command
respect. His encycllcal touches questions that
lie at The base OF our social fabric which VIII
have o be faced and dealt with by both church
aud State. But The subject of education Is
that most likely TO form the battle-ground
between the Two great cOntending parties INTO
which w are naturally dividing ourselves, both
In England aud America. Make all churches
equal with the State; give all fair play ana II
III the race R0manlsn can 0utTun us, we snail
have only ourselves to blame and on the head OF
Protestant Christendom be the disgrace. Ii is
universally admitted that new era OF clearer
light Is bursting upon us. AS the light increases
Rome moves in parallel lines and tries hard 10
show that she Is in favor of tile rights and liber-
lies OF man as man. Reformation or extinction
are before her. We would charitably hope that
in tie advancing light which will beat upon
thrones ana rulers and governments, Rome may
her deformiiy and be led TO penitence and
reformation. In view OF the impending struggle
Que thing Is above all essential to the success OF
the cause of truth and TO the speedy realization
of the hopes OF our common talth-a united
MethodiSm"
AS A POLITICAL POWER.
Raw. DIR. Flske OF Albion. Mich, spoke on
"ROmanism IS Political Power, Viewed His
tOrically." He said "The Roman Church ap-
pas as The most determined, and at times the
mightest. political power on the face OF the
earth. Pdlliate II as much as We may, hers has
been career OF attempted usurpation OF poltl-
cal prerogatIves In these United States. She has
been persistent in her demands for share, pro
rata OF our State School Fund for the SUPPORT
OF her parOchial schools At the polls and in
court she has sought to eject the Bible from the
public schools, so that under the plea that they
were goddess TO destroy them. Her priests are
known 10 dictate al political electIonsi but the
political vanity of Romanism Is becoming de
pe:od. There ale intelligent Catholics In This
country, like Cardinal Gibbons aud Archbishop
Ireland, who plainly see If the church is TO
flourish ana get most out of the times as they
sweep onward she must not waste her energies
ffrvfaf llUtff TFn
gressiye civilization, bnt must clasp hands with
lt and make II her ally"
AS A RELIGIOUS POWER.
Rev. Mr.. Nicholas Of the Irish NJ. E. Church
deiive ed an address or ''ROmanlsm as a Re-
llgiOus Power" He admitted at once, aud with
out hesitation, that there is much that is true
aud good ia the Church OF Rome, and he desired
this admission TO modify, so far as necessary, his
further statements. Rome Is intolerant, but in
one direction only. lntOlerant toward inde-
pendent thought, but ever lenieut toward super
stitiou. hence the belief IN ecclesiastical mira
cles. Rome uses expedency, and often lets II de-
generate into deception. Rome has addressed
Itself TO the caruaI craving for materaIistic rela
tiOnS OF Invisible things Not denying that she
III different ages and lands has done good worE,
her Influence on the whole Is and has been evil.
She has lead many TO skepticlsm, the natural re-
bound from superstition. She has produced
religion more devotional than moral and has
hlndered tile progress OF humanity. In support
OF the view that Rome is mOribuud may be cited
her inability TO maintain her relative position In
the mission field; the comparatively small num-
ber Of adherenls IN the English-speaklng peO-
pies; her loss of political power aud loss OF
numbers ot tie immigrants 10 the United states.
On the other hand may be cited her progress in
England; her increasing number OF churches
aud schools, universities and religious houses aud
the zeal Of her priests and people. Rome is stl
vigorous and the conflict may be long, out the
issue Is ROT uncertain. Tue evangelical churches
need 10 have all their wits about them.
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.
AT the afternoon session the general topic was
Temperance. Rev. Dr. Mason OF the NJ. E Church
Suul, read paper upon The subject OF The
Church and Temperance Reform" The
church," he said, "must serve the cause OF tenn
perance, hist by total abstinence on the part of
the ministry aud the membership of the church
from all participation In the liquor traffic. The
church should be satisfied with nothing less
than the entire abolition OF the liquor traffic. as
carried on, but the church should assume no
political attitude with respect TO prohibition.
CHRISTIAN men In their relations as citizens
should seek 10 obtain such practical legislation
on the part of The State as shall forever abolish
the saloons"
Thomas Wolthineton OF England was not one
of those who believed that Christians should
keep out Of politics. When there were more
Christian men In public life 1t would Improve
the character OF American legislative bodies.
Rev. j. Z. Simmons OF Santa ROsa,2of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. was the
next speaker a.ainst the liquor traffic. He sad
that Methodists had been tring al shadow;
making great rents in their own houses, While the
wolf Is d sIIoying our children.
John Ii. Lille OF England held that Wesiey's
rules obliged the ministers 10 be total abstln'
ence men and lie insisted on that proposition.
AN EXCITING EPISODE.
MIR. Atkinson, NJ. p, insisted that Lille had
mlsquOted wesley; that lie prohibited only
dram-drlnking. Atkinson went on TO speak Of
The primitive MethodIsts in connection with "im-
postors," which Immediately stirred up the in
dlguation OF the delegates from that church.
Tney demanded retractton. and threatened TO
wiihd raw from the conference. Mr.. Stephenson
and other Sssteyang Hsfe bssseshlng Atkinson
TO withdraw his remark aud TO apologize. but he
bluntly refused TO do so asserting That he had
nothing TO apologize for, as lie had not called
them impOstOrs. IL they did not consume his
time he would explain. AS they persisted in de-
mands for a retraction, he characterized what
he called their stupidity in forcible terms, and,
seeing no chance OF restoring harmony, the pre-
siding officer declared the session adjourn ed
and The delegates passed out alter singing tue
d0XoIosy.
ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.