The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-10
THE BANNER OF UNION BASED.
q Characteristic Methodist
Meeting in Washington.
DR. Stephenson Strikes "a icy Note In
speaking of Methodist Union Before
the Eeumenicnl Councif-The session
Closes With an outhurst of OLD Time
Meth 'slist Enthusiasm.

Methodist Council opened with Rev. Fl.
l. Marshall, of Methodist new conuec-
tlon' England, occupying the presiding
officers chair. Tho usual devotional
exercises were held.
The topic OF tho morning session.
christian Unity" was then takon mn
ana an essay was delivered by Rev. Dr.
1. e. Selby, of the Western Methodist
Ohurch, Greenock, Scotland, followed NV
general discussion.
Kev. .. f. Reid, of Florence, XIV. re-
presenting the Methodist Episcopal
Shurch south, told OF tho birth OF the
n,othoolse unions OF China. He said that
Me were SIX different branches of the
Metnodlst Church operating in Chinese
missions, crossing each other and work
ing without connection. That should
be changed. Those branches should
come together. They should have a
common name, common hymnal. com
mon advocate. They wanted ono Sun
uay-schooi literature; they wanted one
great Methodist University in China.
;, rev pr. H. r. lioss, of Methodist
hp,scoPal Church South, from Nash
vie, Tenn, said that the size of the
Methodist Church in this country made
the question of union ono of tremendous
Importance. Ho had room in his hoart
for all Methodists, but not in his house
INC worst movement in direction of
unity camc when the church said
apivlsion is wrong, como and Join us. -
ohurch has no right because of tho size
anu nimbers to dictate. 1t attained no
part'calar privilege on that score. Each
church, perhaps his own, had erred. and
the only way to attain the unity would
DO ior them to stop their nonsense and
10 acknowiedge each others rights. If
unity was TO be secured there must first
come an end of maneuvering for posi-
ton III tho united churches.
After recess bishop Warren, of Col
orauo, took tho chair and called tho
council to order. Devotional services
wore held, DR.. Jewell, of California,
reading Scriptures and delivering
prayer.
Rev. DR.. Coke Smith, of tho Methodist
Epi ,copal Church South, Nashville.
Tenn, read the first paper of the after
noon session. His subject was "Christinn
Corporation" His paper and its subject
occupied tho attention OF tho council
during the remainder of the davis ses-
sion. When the debate concluded, HYMN
was sung and tlN council was about to
Cured.
All day the talk had been of unitv
and cooperation, and tho stirring words
oil the speakers had gradually wrought
up the council to n state approaching
enthusiasm. Tho train had been laid
and the match was applied when tho
presiding officer apologizing fora breach
IN the regular order, said that tho words
let fall by DR.. Stephenson had taken
root, and therefore he asked tho indul-
gence for President Myers of the Eng
llsh Methodist FREQ Church, who do
N "a,
Dr. Stephenson remarks
His object for long time, he said.
had been TO bring tho British Metho-
DIST churches together. All his people
were willing and anxious, and he was
Instructed by his fellow-churchmen
here TO say that they wanted to unite.
Rev. DIR. Marshall, of the English
Methodist (new connection) said his
heart was too full for utterance, as ono
of tho presidents OF tho minor Metho-
DIST bodies hero reached out his hand to
DIR. Stephenson, for no had struck tho
keynote 10 which all Methodists re-
sponded. lie clasped his hands with
Dr. Stephenson and felt that Methodist
unity would follow
Bcv. Dr. Worthington, president of
tho English independent Methodist
conference, said ne represented tho
democracy and could not commit his
people, but they favored organized
union. There wouldbc some difficulty
III the details, but in spirit they favored
unity. Ii they could not reach organic
union, they could Mt least attain fedora
ton tCries OF Hear. Heart HearD
Rev,h. w. Bourne, president of tho En-
elish Bible Christian, heartily endorsed
what had been said Yea IS ago he had
sought uaiop, and today he feltrthat il
was near auhand. Rev. Thomas Bro
| mage, president OF tho English Wes-
leyan Reformed Union, also welcomed
iiF. Stcphenson's suggestion Of confer-
encc of English Methodists to secure
unity as did Alderman William Mcneil,
OF the English Primitive Methodisfs.
Other delegates from time to time
sought recognition, but tho presiding
o'hcer, not wishing to interrupt tenders
OF corporation ard unity, refused to
recognize anyone except the presidents
I OF the English branches of tho church.
| AS each of these arose and welcomed
| the invitation to como together the
council, approaching the first i'm portant
| result that had followed it's Geiibera-
tiOns, cheercd and encouraged the
| speakers, and when Rev. DR.. Embry, of
| Kansas, announced that n circular had
been issued looking to conference to
| seek common ground upon which TO
unite all of tho African Methodist
! Churches, there was momeptary silence
| followed by spontaneous outburst into
words Of the dcxology, praise God
| From Whom ali Blessings Flow" The
| session adjourned amid mutual hand
shaking and congratulations.