Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-12-11
THE METHODIST CHURCH.

I
lis existence in the United States furnishes
study we'll worthy the attention of
thoughtful men everywhere. The mod
esty of its beginnings furnish an amazing
contrast to its present colossal power. The
good which it has accomplished would
seem to be merely the index to the vast
ability tor Its work now, after century of
sturdy growth has placed it foremost
among the evangelical churches. Not
only does it rank first in numbers, indus.
try and zeal, but it has just displayed
power and wealth which is astounding.
The number of Conferences in the
United States is sixty-six, we believe, aad
the returns of the Centenary collections
from two-thirds of these show the aegrc-
gate for the year Of nearly seven millions
OF dollars. 1t is altogether probable that
this immense sum will be increased by re-
turns from the remaining Conferences to
nine millions, or even more This libcr-
ality is unequaled The Wesleyan Meth
odlsts,-the most numerous branch Of the
Church in England heretofore ciy
en- not only the largest sums yearly to
Charch purposes, but they have given
the greatest amount per copita of any re-
lgious body in the world. They must
now yield this distinguished honor to
their brethren of America.
I Wonderful as this collection Of the
Methodist Church is in itself, it becomes
more SO when we reflect upon the fact,
proudly admitted BY tina; organization.
that the great mass Of its membership are
called the poor of the land. The truth of
this statement is not affected by the fact,
that in the great cities Of New York.
Philadelphia, Baltimore aud Pitisburg
particularly: and in the otLer large cities
they number many members of great
wealth. The crank aud G,e7 Of the
Church are the industrious poor OF the
country. Thousands of these owe their
present ability to give, as shown in the
magnificent CONTRIBUTORS OF tie year, to
The vitality of the Church which has re
claimed them lrom penury, degradation
want. Ths have been saved from earthly
destruction by her teachings, and they
are now but giving back iitAe Of what
they owe to their beloved Church and
we may measure the benefits they have
received in some sort, BY those they are
now enabled to pour cut upon the cause
oi religion in this and in other lands.
Any attempt to forecast the future OF
this Church is vain It's growth has, so
far, been wonder aud an asionishment.
1t possesses the most consummate organi-
zation IN existence among ec.esiastial
bodies, il We except the Roman Catholic
denomination, and through its admirable
government 1t is enable 10 consolidate
and maintain its increasing power as it Is
gained, receiving strength iu every fibre
as it grows. While the liberty accorded
to It's laity is great and increasing, i re-
ceiyes its momentum from the hands of
It's ministry; and these again are under
the absolute control Of the BISHOPS, few
ia number but eminent COR industry, pur-
ity, and business ability and fact.
Is is sufficient to bear witness now to
the untiring industry of this Church
the amazing benefits which it is scatter
ing over our land its instructive love OF
liberty: its manly enuuciation of the
views OF It's people on questions Of morality
as they arise; its willingness to suffer in
the cause Of truth its enormous wealth
and its willingness to give Of It's sub
stance IN furtherance of the cause Of its
Master 1t is impossible to withhold our
admiration for such body, and we Join
in the universal hope that it may 20 on
increasing iE its strength and usefulness
for all time to come -ii(r. Teiegrnph
Impeachment Defeated.