The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-01-27
The Centenary OF .AmerIean MeIhOdIsm.

baIuIudyS SdHAoAy 80 ~N'
The Centenary of American MeIhOdIsm.
This year of grace, 1866, is the Centen-
airy of the most numerous and powerful Of
all the religious organizations Of America. 1t
is one hundred years, the coming month of
October, since, in feebleness and little prom
Use of greatness, the foundation of the Meth
odist Church was laid in this country.
From the most humble and obscure begin
inc, it's Grst members company of card
players. and its fret place of worship, 8
rigging loftin the City of New York, il
has grown with a marvellous growth, out
stripping all its contemporaries, until now
it numbers 1,972.77 members; 1850
travelling preachers; $4,000 local preach
ers; 200 collegeseand academies; 80 period
icals; and adding three non communicates
to each COMMUNICATE, we have grand ag-
gregats Methodist population of 5000. 900.
Their whole number of churches is e. 487 4;
aggregate accommodation, 4,2O9, 1888; val
ue of church property; $14, $3.50, 671. This
is the growth from nothing in single
century!
In view Of this marvellous growth it is
not to be wondered that the General Con-
ference of 1864 should have proposed q
grand celebration of the Centenary of Am
erican Methodism, to continus from the first
Sunday of the New Year to the last in Oc-
tober, 1866.
The principal features of this year of eel
ebration will be special religious services
and liberal thank offerings; the offering to
be devoted TO some great monumental pur-
pose, and local objects, chiefly of an educa-
tional character. Each Annual Conference
is TO have a memorial sermon delivered be-
fore It's own body sometime preceding next
October, and the Bishops ask donation Of
not less than 100000, 10 carry out the
purposes they have in view. The work
has been commenced with the enthusiasm
and zeal characteristic of the sect, and there
is no room to doubt that the full amount
called for Willrbe raised. Press aad pulpit
already teen with powerful exhortations 10
the ambition. the generosity and the chris
tian zeal of the membership of high aud low
degree to give liberally of their substance
to celebrate this 6rst Centenary year by
thank offerings which shall not only mark
the year 1866 n the sS,.sSdar of the church
bat makeSt memorao4ee4n the history of
the country, and enable the church to 90
forward from this point in her history with
renewed power and largely increased re-
sources 10 run the race set before her. The
first respose has already been made in the
shape of donation by Mr.. Daniel Drew OF
New York city, of the sum of $3.50 900
for the general purposes of the centenary
fund; besides which he proposes to erect,
on his estate on Hudson river, a magni f.
cent Theological Seminary, to cost not less
than half million. This furnishes the key
note to this grand centenary effort. This
will be followed, in kind, by other rich men
of the church, who will improve the o.
casiOn to pile up many thousands to strength
en- the church they love. Reminded of
what MethOdism has done in past CEN
fury they will aid literally in preparing it
to do vastly more the coming one.
The money is to be used ffst and mainly
to promote education through the edium
of the Universities and Colleges of the
church, which are lozbe endowed and
strengthened beyond any possible adverse
contingencies, and their sphere of useful
ness enlarged. After this will probably
come the Mission Cause, and the erection
of a mammoth denominational edifce in
New York, for the use of the Book Concern
and the different benevolent societies of the
church. ad va
The objects aimed at are worthy Of their
origin aud of the efforts that will be made
for their accomplishment. Good men -ol
every denomination, and in the outside world
will rejoice at their success. Tor they will
add large measures the growth Of evangel-
zeal and practical christianity; 50 iatimately
connected with the future peace, prosperity
and happiness of the whole country.
FROM THE CAPITAL. 49,