Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-21
The Ecumenical Council at
Washington Ended.
Christian Resources of the Old
World Discussed.
DR.. Buckley's View of the Church
of the Future.
Democracy In the State Means Democ-
racy In the Church - The Social
ism of Jesus to Make All
Men Equal.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-The twelfth
and last day OF the session of the ecu
menical Methodist council opened this
morning, with Rev. DR.. Allen, of Eng
land, in the chair. After the adoption
of resolutions for the appointment of a
deputation of representatives OF the
conference to visit the Pan-American
congress at Toronto next year, and
amendments to the resolution presented
Yesterday relative to the creation of an
executive commission to make arrange
ments for the next ecumenical confer
ence, the topic OF the day, The Outlook,
was taken up.
The first essay of the session on the
subject, Christian Resources of the
Old World, was by S. Simon, OF the
Wesleyan Methodist church of Kent,
England. Mr.. Simon said the men who
are in closest touch with the masses of
the English people are impressed with
the fact that while theories about the
Christian religion fail to arouse interest,
the living and personal Christ is re-
garded with increasing enthusiasm.
Speaking of the resources of Chris
tianity in the old world, he said: "The
question is: Are the ministers and
workers of the English churches pre-
pared to avail themselves of this condi-
tion of the public mind? The rapid
diminution of the evangelic party in
the church of England is an ominous
sign"
Turning from the Episcopal church, the
o.oolror ,,nbaaitotinuIxr 6aoIora6 tb
the evangelical non-conformists of Eng
land were prepared to minister to the
desire for the living Christ. In closing,
he said: "As Christians, we welcome
the assistance of every one who aims
a blow at evil and shields that which
is good. After all, our confidence chiefly
rests in the men and women who con-
fess Christ as their master, and be-
lieve His gospel is the true remedy for
the sins and SORROWS of the world.
Bishop Keene said he was much dis
turbed at the spirit of higher criticism,
shown especially by the British Wes-
leyans. He abiured the brethren to take
the problem of evolution home with
them, get down and look at it. "There
is nothing in the Darwinian theory if
YOU knock the time out OF it," He
adjured his English friends to get rid
of this doctrine OF evolution. II this
bomb lasted it would blow them up.
''This is the first great fissure in the
Methodist faith, he said.
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 its power felt outside its own
proper sphere in many lands, to the
detriment and danger OF the civil and
religious liberties of the people. The
conference feels bound to remind the
members OF the churches it represents,
OF the sacred rights and privileges they
enjoy, won for them by the sacri-
flee and fidelity of their fore
fathers, Tand to call. on them
to unite with the members OF other
Protestant churches in maintaining
their great inheritance of freedom, and
handing down the same intact to the
succeeding generations.
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 extravaganza in living, the
REIMBURSEMENT in large part by the
church of the Sabbath to the
world, etc. But this is only one side,
and there are numerous tendencies oi
a hopeful character The rise of new
denominations seeking after spiritual
piety may be expected. 40 union OF
Professionalism and Romanism is possi-
BILE. The ultimate church will enforce
no theory of inspiration it will have a
simple, yet comprehensive creed, reveal
ing the essentials OF salvation. The
mania for making new laws upon
points upon which inspiration has
not spoken, will give place
to the Christian liberty exhibited
by St. James, and endorsed and illus
trated by st. Paul. Caste and cant
will disappear; Christian living will be
midway between asceticism and luxury
science and religion will walk hand in
hand. though till the last there may be
irreligious scientists and some Christians
40 ignorant or timid as to fear that in
crease of knowledge in the sphere OF ma
ture necessarily implies the destruction
of faith. :,
Rev. DIR. Dawson, OF England, salo
the church OF the future must essentl-
allv be the church of the past. The
fundamentals could not be altered. The
first note of the church OF the future
would be simplifcation. Too long hac
the church been keeping its eye upor
heaven and failing to see injustice Oh
earth. Democracy in the state meant
democracy in the church, and the mos
democratic church would win. Christ
ians were the followers of divine SO
cialist. If men could not get the social
ism Of Jesus, they would get the social
ism of the devil. The socialism OF Jesu
did not make us all equal 1t made u
all brothers. The church should no
ignore evolution, and church willfull,
blind could not be the church OF the fu
tture.
At the conclusion OF the last address
by request Of the business committee
DIR. Stephenson presented resolution
voicing the thanks OF the conference il
various directions. He made a speecl
in moving the resolution, treating
by sections. He referred to the hospi
tality shown the foreign delegates, etc.
referred to the presidents visits to tn