The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-08
WORLDS METHODISM
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SEES
 GREAT WORK AHEAD.
R. w. Perks Has scheme for Estab- Iishment of Co-Operative Labor Bureaus Throughout the
 World by Church.

Methodism militant Is the proposition fascinating and vital. which is held out to the followers of John Wesley--a Meth odism that shall be as great universal brotherhood and be accomplished by the time of the next decenniaI gathering of the church in Washington.
 Less than three years are allowed for the tremendous work which this entails. but it's originator and most enthusiastic supporter goes confidently about attaining what will seem to many to be little short of milien- ium. Thousands of Americans will remem- Der him just from the passing glimpse they had of him. More thousands have read qf him. He was here but a brief time, and tHen on a journey of inspection only. From this country he hurried back to Eng land to tell the great Wesleyan Methodist Conference of the scheme which had un- folded itself to him he journeyed.
 For R. W. Perks. a member of the British Parliament. is thinker. and. more than that, worker. He Is not the visionist that he appeared as he laid his mighty plan be- fore the delegates who represented Metho- dism throughout the British Empire. Won- der showed on the faces of those who heard him. His conception of a universal Metho- dism became the one topic of conversation whenever leaders and delegates stole mo- ment from the exigncies of debate. At one time a colored Methodist preacher, gray-haired but enthusiastic. a bronzed pio- neer of Methodism from Jamaica. and a pale, eager-faced circuit rider from the east end of London. formed group that talked of the plan--a contrast of three personali- ties that strikingly illustrated the Freema- sorry of the Methodist Church.
 MT. Perkss scheme embraces the estab- lishment of cooperative Methodist labor bu- reaus throughout the world, the forming of great Methodist employment agencies: the building up of a practical loan society. with branches in every country; and the gradual building up of other kindred institutions to weld Methodists together in a bond of self help the world over.
 "The time has come.r says MT. Perks. ''when the Methodist Church. with it's vast influence and resources should advance to universal brotherhood"
 The question of emigration is his first ob- jective. Here the Methodist Church. he says, may do vast things by the formation of a universal bureau, which would not only send a Methodist emigrant to far-cff lands, but would guide and instruct him even at the uttermest ends of the earth.
 Tn this direction. he says. Methodism has facilities which neither the Church Army nor tfie Salvation Army possesses. In every city in the colonies Methodists can be found in responsible official and mercantile posts.
 'SeIf-help' must be the motto" says MT. Perks; ''only the organization Is at pres ent lacking"
 Referring to the problem of unemployment MT. Perks appeals to the business men Of Methodism to aid poorer brethren not by unorganized. or undirected charity. but by a practical bureau. with wide-flung branches which can trace and succor even the most ..h elpless. hopeless human being and give him yet another chance In life.
 we are not making use of our wonderful MT. Perks declares with fervor; "Methodism Is vast religious Freemasonry with worldwide numbers and worldwide riches. Given only the machinery we can bind the Methodist brotherhood throughout the world in one vast confederacy for mu- tual aid.'
 In addition to an emigration department and an employment agency. Mir. Perks be- lieves there should naturally and easily grow out of them an all-important loan so- ,iety, and also savings bank.
 .srhe time is ripe" he says ''for Metho-