The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06

where will wonder what these Ecumenical
Methodist Conferences, in which representa-
tives of all the Methodisms come together,
the third of which has just closed, have
done to improve it. 1t was unquestionably
the hope of those who originated these
gatherings that they would not merely pro-
mote a truer fraternity between the d.
vided followers Of Wesley, but would
eventually bring them into practical
union. Naturally, therefore, the question
arises. what is the prospect for such a
union? Have the three Ecumenical Con-
f~erences done anything to advance this
cause, and in particular. what has been
zone toward this end by the conference
which has just closed?
In response to these live queries ii
must be gratefully admitted that since the
first Ecumenical. twenty years ago. the
feeling of fellowship has made rapid
strides. So far has this gone in England
that there is now in existence a standing
committee on concerted action, made up
of representatives from all the branches
of Methodism on this side, some of whom,
q quarter of a century ago, were scarcely
ON speaking. terms with each other. In
America, too, there has been a marked
growth Of goodwill and of mutual cooper
alton between the Methodist Churches
North and South, while amongst the ne
gro churches there has been an inter-
change of least that
much-looking toward organic unity. One
must recognize, too, that in worldwide
Methodism there is a distinct trend to-
ward union, showing itself first, as is
only natural, in countries where the di-
vided bodies of this sect. being small, feel
most keenly that division is a source of
weakness. In Ireland Methodism became
a unit twenty-three years ago. This was
just prior to the first Ecumenical Confer
ence, and very significant is ii that just
after that first Ecumenical there was a
happy fusing into one of the four or five
Methodisms of Canada. More recently still
the different branches of Australasian
Methodism have become one.
METHODIST UNION.
This latest of the marriage between COM
peting Methodist Churches is distinctly
! traced. by those who brought it about. to
what was said on Methodist union at the
Washington Ecumenical ten years ago. So
that only is Methodist union in the air
through the breezes of fraternity and
good sense which have been raised and
famed at the great gatherings in which
Methodists of every name have come to-
gether for friendly discussion. Alike from
Ireland, from Canada and from Austral-
asia does the testimony come that this
union Of forces was not so difficult when
ii was practically undertaken as 1t had
threatened to be when it was merely up
for academical discussion. To bring II
about the great requisite, we are told,
was that good principle should take the
- n
spirit suppIant pigheadedness. 1t is tri-
umphantly affirmed. too. that in neither of
the British colonies where Methodist union
has gone into effect has there been any re-
sultant friction, and that In all of them
the gain in Methodist progress and in1u-
ence has exceeded expectations.
In the conference just closed little was
said upon this subject by delegates from
America. DR.. ]. T. Goucher limited, in his
admirable paper on 1.-The Condition OF
Methodism in the Western Hemisphere"
that there was a movement. which he
hoped would become a groundswell. in IA
vor of federation between North and
South. and one also looking toward the
union of colored Methodists. and this al
fusion was afterward re-echoed, with many
oratorical nourishes. by an episcopate OF
the African race. Bishop Derrick. who, by
the way. is i'm great vogue over here, as
the colored delegates in general are, and
whose episcopal proportions and dignity
have earned for him from the press the
English prefix of Right Reverend. Beyond
these bare illusions 10 the subject. scarce
~ anything has been said from the Amer
lean side. the feeling evidently being that
talk will not help much, and that, on The
other hand. injudicious talk. which is not
at all al unknown quantity in Ecumenical
Conferences, might impede the cause in
stead of helping it. But on the English
side there has been a decided inclination
to keep this subject well to the front. the
| speeches clearly showing that amongst
the struggling hosts of British Methodism
there is a feeling that something radical
| ought TO be lone soon TO give them greater
influence and a better denominationa
standing.
A personality greatly missed In the de-
| bates Of this conference has been that
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