Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-10-31

shortened by the severity of his impris-
onment. WEsLEY's father was also a bold
preacher, striking his heaviest blows at
the sins of his age. His fidelity nearly
cost him his lif.-miscreants offended at
his bold assaults upon their vices, fred
his house. One man stood upon the
the shoulder of another, and pulled John
Wesley, then a child, out of the burning
building, Just as the roof fell in. This
incident affected his whole life. He felt
that he was saved for some great work.
Under his early portraits was this motto:
''Is not this brand plucked from the
burning ?"
In November, 1929, four young men
of Oxford, John Wesley, fellow Of Lin
coin College. Charles Wesley, student of
Christ church, Mr.. Morgan, commoner of
Christ church, and Mr. Kirkman, of Mer-
ton college, met together for the study of
the scriptures and religious conversation.
In the course of time they were joined |
by others, among them the illustrious |
Whiteheld. Soon from their strict |
method of life, they were called by their |
enemies Methodists hence the origin of
the name. Here was the germ of the
mightiest revival of primitive holiness,
the world has ever witnessed. From
Oxford, in the language of Wesley, him
self, ''God thrust them out to raise up a
holy people," The church thus organi-
lied, was essentially missionary church,
and we find her taking at the outset her
place in the van of the great interests of
moral reform. As to slavery, our founder
was an A6OhtOnist, of the radical school.
To him slavery was the "sum of all vii
liany." As to temperance, Wesley was
teetotaler. As to the missionary enter
prise, Methodism had its missionaries in
the field before any of the great mission
ary societies were organized. Before the
organization of the first tract society,
Wesley had sent forth his tract colpor-
ters-and Robert Rsikes was indebted to
the wife of one of Wesley's preachers for
the idea of the Sunday school. Twenty
five years before the organization of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, Wes-
ley formed the Naval and Military Bible
Society, the first of all such institutions.
Great success attended the preaching of
the gospel by the Wesleys, and their no
BILE coadjutors. The fame of revival
rolled like an inundation over England,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales; and one
hundred years ago, this present month,
the standard of Methodism was raised on
these shores, by Phillip Emburry, an
Irish local preacher, when at the instiga-
ton of Barbara Heck, he stood up in his
own house, in the city of New York. and
preached the gospel to congregation of
five persons.
What of this record of hundred years2
In the presentation of facts to-day, lest /
might, by some, be thought prejudiced,
will let others speak for US, in the Ian
guage of q prominent member of sister
denomination in N. Y. city. He says:
"The foundation of Msthodism was laid in this
country in Oct 1766. in feebleness and with little
portions and outstripped all its fellow churches in
the land. Methodists are well disciplined body.
FROM the commanding generals, down TO the
step to the same music. observe the same manual.
and are governed BY the same laws. This sect can
not set on its alters It's missionaries follow the
drum beat Of England. in its march around the /
world; Nothing can be more marvellous than the |
preachers and poor hearers. have by tact and en-
terprise, become the wealthy men and women Of |
their fathers. Churches Of white marble and
brown stone, with elegant adOrnments, with fres-
coed paintings and sculptures with costly organs
and all the elegant adornments Of modern Wor-
ship, as well as humble churches, suited 70 warn,
Gus localities. now found in every. nook and
corner of the republic. Leading men IN al pro
fessions and eallings. are members Of this body
Bankers. millionaiEss; merchant pEiasss, as well
Its church property amounts to nearly thirty mill
lions dollars. Its property in colleges and schools
Is three millions. Its Sunday School Union COM
prises Is. 400 schools. than $4,000 teachers.
nearly l.0O0,eOO pupils, more than Z5OO.OOO library
oooks 1eariy ~ Puehc91@ens&; @ ~ WITH elrcn4atl9o
1000 travelling eachers, over SUD- local preachers.
and more than 1000 churches. Its Missionary |
society comprises 1859 circuits and stations; l.lS
paid Iaborers, los 675 communicates. and expend- /
ed last year over S6OUOOU, and Will expend this
year 81 100000. This includes none but the ~ 5.
dian MethOdism, and all minor bodies. Add these,
and there are now in the United States and Canada
as the result Of the labor OF century ZOgO.OOO
members Is. 900 travelling preachers. 1900 local
preachers, 200 colleges and seminaries. and $780,
900 people. The Book concern of this church il
one of the best managed in the land It is not only
the duty of every Methodist TO trade with the con-
csrn and thus aid the to which all its profits
devoted, but it is made the interest of all to
do So. The Book concern was started in 17s9, in
Philadelphia, on borrowed capitol Of S600-ithas
now capital of 1887, 90. Its profits from 1896 to
ant time. largely exceeds $i0O 900 per annan."
This liberal summary, from the able
pen of a member of another denomina-
lion, needs no comment. It has the ring
IF true Christian frankness. It is no less
ust than liberal.
Again, our record of loyalty to the
Government is one of which we as a peo-
pie may well be proud. This record is {
now an important one. While the people !
Of this land, are proclaiming in trumpet
ones, their verdict for the right, while
oyalty is life, and disloyalty is death, woe I
De to the Church that fails to meet the s
ssue. II
The Methodist Church, at its organiza- ]
ion in 1874, was the first religious body
If the country, to insert in its code of {
laws, q recognition of the I
new Government; enforcing patriotism
IN its communicates. 1t was also the I
irst religious body to recognize the or &
ganization of the National Government {
md the Presidency of Washington. 1t
was the first Ecclesiastical body to pledge
It's unwaYering loyalty to the Government
after the attack on Fort Sumpter 1t was
The first to telegraph congratulations to s
The Government on the surrender of Lee.
In the cause Of liberty it gave 100000 {
men to war for the Union. The Nation 7
Il flag has waved from our spires, and
iraped our pulpits. The National strug- h
gle has kindled to the highest degree the {
characteristic enthusiasm of our people. !
At our last General Conference, in re-
ply to the address of the Conference, {
President LINCOLN said:
"Nobly sustained as the Government !
las been by all the Churches, 1 would
litter nothing which might in the least
appear inVidious against any, yet without
his, it may fairly be said that the Meth
,dist Episcopal Church, not less devoted il
han the best, is by its greater numbers 4
he most important of all. 1t is no fault o
n others, that the Methodist Church 4
ends more soldiers to the field, more Q
nurses to the hospitals and more prayers a
o heaven than any. God bless the Meth t
,dist Church, bless all the Churches, and |,
blessed be God, who in this our great tri- S
j giveth US the Churches" n
With such arecord then, my brethren, a
las God blessed us. A record unparal-
eled in the history of the Church, since a