The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-10-22
THE PRESIDENT TALKS.


Not.bles Present at the Methodist Ecu
nenicai Councll-President Harrison's
Speech.
WASHINGTON. Oct 16-Rev. DR.. 7. g.
Williams. of the Methodist church in
Canada, presided over the Ecumenical
council At the beginning Of the tenth
days session. Charles Foster. secre-
tary of the Treasury, occupied = seat
within the altar rail and was an inter
ested spectator of the mornings pro-
ceedin&S A session was ordered for
Monday evening to hear foreign mis-.
sionaries Bishop Newman, ascending
the platform, introduced Secretary
Foster who spoke briefly to the council
The general topic Of the day was
''War and Peace" The first essay,
''International Arbitration" was read
by T. Shape, of the United Methodist
Free church, Liverpool.
During the reading of MI. Shapes I'D.
dress, Secretary Noble Of the interior
entered the hall and took q set near tho
altar. He was introduced to the assem-
bly, by Bishop Newman. There was q
pause in the proceedings for a few
minutes and then the small door to
the right of the pulpit opened and
President Harrison entered, accom-
panied by Rev. DR.. Cory. Every body
in the church rose to his feet and there
was an outburst of applause as the
president assembled to the platform and
was presented to the chairman. who in
turn announced: II have the honor Of
presenting BENJAMIN Harrison. presi-
dent of the United States of America"
Another burst of applause followed,
and when this had died away the
president stepping forward, said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Com.
mite: came here this morning to make
an expression of my respect and esteem for
this great body OF delegates. assembled
from all the countries OF the world, and
much more to give q manifestation of my
respec: and love for this greater body of
Christian men and women for whom you
stand. lApplause.1 Every ecumenical con-
ference is a distinct step in the direction,
not only of the uniflcation of the church.
but of the unifcation of humanity. As
semblink from countries unlike in their civil
institutions. their church not wholly in ac-
cord as to doctrine and church Or
der, you come together to find that
the unlikeness IL not so great as you had
thought ferries of hear! hear! from the En-
glish delegates land thought to ind this COM
mon sympathy and common purpose greater
and larger than you had thought-large
enough presently to overspread and extin.
gush all those transitOry LESSONS and dvis.
ions. Applause am glad to know that,
as the followers of Wesley. whose hymns We
sing. you have been in consultation as to the
method and time when these minor divisions
among you may be obliterated. II is the
natural order that sub divisions should be
wped out before the grand divisions of
the church can be united. Who does
not greatly rejoice that the controversial
teaching of the church is less than it once
was. that we hear more of the work of the
Master and His teachings of love and duty
than of hair splitting and theological dis
cussions? I recall that many years ago.
while visiting q watering place in Wiscon-
sin. when the Sabbath came around. went
with some friends to q little Methodist
church in an adjSining village. The preach.
er undertook to overturn my Presbyterian.
ism (iaughter] anu an irreverent
friend who sat beside me as the
young man delivered his telling blasts
against Calvinism was constantly emphasiz-
ing the points made by nudges of the elbow.
I am glad to recall thar, although since then
that was the last experience of that kind
have had Hear! Hear!l You have day.
o. the theme Of discussion, the subject OF in.
ternational arbitration. and. this being a
public and enlarged use of the word, per.
haps makes my presence here as an officer
OF the United states especially appropriate