The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
SIR ROBERT PERKS
ON METHODIST MODERNISM

ON ME1hOU1S1 MUUEhN4Om
In the Judgment of Sir Robert Perks,
regarded by many churchmen as the
worlds foremost Methodist, Methodism
took at Toronto during the sitting of the
ecumenical conference just held there the
most important step since the days of
John Wesley. That step was the con-
solidation of the Methodist churches of
the world, and the naming Of an interna-
tional central committee of 100 men, half
ministers and half laymen, and equally
representative of Methodists of the Old
World and the New.
The body that takes this important
world step officially reported at Toronto
100000 adherents. 10000 places of public
worship 5000 ministers, and lO2 900 lay
Preachers. Tne new committee has for
its aim the welding and welding of this
large force for the welfare of the world.
United action is proposed along the lines
of peace, temperance, laws on marriage
and divorce, social service, treatment of
native races on mission fields, and the
labor problems
lWO objections have met Methodists
who planned these large things, and both
came from outside of MethOdism," said
Sir Robert, speaking on this new de
Velopment = Methodism. The first OBJ
lection came in small measure from
Roman Catholics, but chiefly from the
daily newspapers. 1t was that Method
ism seeks III its new plane to enter the
realm of the state. To that we reply
that MethOdism has always been the
pioneer in reforms The state has rarely
lead in reforms, but has usually refused
to touch them until public opinion made
1t safe to do SO. I refer to prison and
factory reform, to the abolition of the
corn laws, and TO the evolution of pri-
Vate TO public schools. Methodism
aroused the public conscience concerning
all of these, and many other reforms If
We wait for the state to act the reforms
will never come. Heretofore world Meth
odism has been a rope of sand. Here
after it is going TO be a band of iron
with a collection as real as that which
holds together labor interests and capt.
tai.
The second objection" he continued.
came from religious bodies other than
Methodist. II was that we are pushing
seCtarian aims. We are told that this is
the day Of Christian unity. or at least,
Of talk toward it. We Methodists are
told we ought not TO push our own
schemes, but TO join in the general trend.
We reply that our first duty is to our
own, and that if by getting together we
can bring some practical helps into be-
ing we shall be taking at least one step
toward the unity that seems so much
desired. If we wait, may never get
anywhere.
Critics or no critics, Methodists of the
world are committed ir this interna- !
tiOnaI central committee to a Methodist |
freemasonry, a Methodist modernism. /
1t is the biggest thing Of its kind ever
. nv Christian PaOU1a /
tell me it cannot he accomplished. !
Pshaw, People told me. when I sug-
gested that 100000 Wesleyans of Eng |
land be induced to give 100000 guineas, |
that they would not be induced. But !
they were. Our new plan relates to this |
worlds affairs, not 10 eternity. Let me
explain.
''Methodists Of England are going to
Canada, America. Australia the Argen-
tine, to almost everywhere. Salvation !
Army and other agencies collect vast |
sums and spend them upon machinery.
English MethOdists will have only volun-
teer work and give the money to emil
grants themselves.
Methodist employers Of labor in scores
Of the principal cities of the world who
are in the steel. paper, boot and shoe,
cement. coal, shipbuiIding. banking. and
dry goods lines have promised to en-
plOy these Methodist emigrants upon ar
rival English Wesleyans going to any
of the countries are located in good po-
sitions We find out before departure
from England what trade the emigrant
is master of. If he is master of none we
discourage emigration. We see if he has
the necessary money to make the jour
ney with his family. Then We locate
him in a business position before he
starts. This we can do, no matter in
what direction he goes, or how far he
travels. I call that practical Christian
service.
The thing we are trying to dol say II
franklv-is not only to hold the emigrant
in Christian relationship, but to keep him
in Methodism For MethOdism has mes
sage. It has a method of imparting IT.
There are 100000 Of us. one of the most
powerful forces the world possesses, if it
be properly held together and provided
with weapons to work with, Methodism
is still in its infancy of usefulness. 1t
must enter into all sorts of lines of this
worlds work. And II is getting into shape
to enter them"
Sir Robert Perks is one of the Methodist
laympn of London who go out to preach
the gospel in all sorts of places. London :
laymen deliver on an average of S2,OD
sermons a Sunday throughout the year.
Sir Robert was two decades in Parlia-
ment, and chairman Of the Free Church
Committee, 200 strong, made up solely OF
Of Parliament. He is a builder !
of railways and of other great ventures !
which take English capitalists to all parts {
of the world 1t was he who made possi-
BILE the great Methodist world headquar-
ters building. now erecting in Westmtn-
ster facing Westminster Abbey. costing 7
g. .5OO, 900 with site, and to be opened one |
year hence.