North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-01-01
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We nav not be proper persons to ham
do the nen on such subject as the above,
vet the subject occurred to us in connec-
ton with the approaching New Year, and
the reading Of an article in Harper 3
Weekly, Of late date, on the Centenary
question and the libcrality of Mothodists
generally. :.
For some reason or other the Methodist
denomination has been maligned and IN
receipt of much contumely and abuse ever
since its organization and for the same
or some other reasons, which one can d.
vine as we'll as another, they have swelled
their numbers until now their member
ship numbers nearly one-fifth of the popu
lation of the entire country. They COM
menced poor, despised organization,
without wealth, influence or numbers. and
when, over year ago, it was proposed to
raise two million dollars for Church pur-
posses, it was thought to be an enormous
undertaking, and one that would probably
never be realized. The result has proved
that they not only raised the two millions
Of dollars but scren miUions-and that, too,
with nearly one-third of the Church to
hear from. All this has been done aside
from the regular church expenses at home,
and all its missions, relief societies, &C.
In the last two years, or since the inaugu-
ration, of tbs Centenary movement, It's
membership has been increased by the
number 2l5.50O. 1t reports nearly a
million children in its Sunday Schools,
and one hundred and seventy five thousand
teachers. In view ofthese facts let thosc who
feel disposed to abuse Methodists and
Methodism, per Sc, remember that the or
A1kanizatonis power in the land, unequal
led by any denomination on the globe, un-
less it be the Catholic. Probably the
cause of this progress is in part due to the
opposition they have met on all sides, but
chiefly because it reaches all classes
high and low, rich and poor-a common
religion for all mankind without regard to
color or nationality. Observer.
GoUGH.-On Il certain Sabbath evening
some twenty years ago, a reckless, ill dress
ed young man was idly lounging under
the elm trees in the public square at Wor-
cester. He had become a wretched waf
on the public sea. His days were spent in
the walking.sremorse of the drunkard; his
nights were spent in the butfooneries of
the ale house.
As he sauntered along, out of humor
with himself and all mankind, KIND voice
sauted him. A stranger laid his hand
upon his shoulder, and siad in cordial
tones $50 down to our meeting at the
town hall tonight" a bre. conversa-
ton ensued, so winning in its character,
that the reckless youth consented to GO
lie went; heard the appeals there made.
With a tremulous hand be signed the
pledge of total abstinence By Gods help
he kept it, and keeps it yet. The poor
boot-crimper who tapped him on the
shoulder, (good Joel Stratton) has lately
gone to heaven. But the youth he saved
is to-day the foremost of reformers on the
face of the globe. Methnks when lis
ten to the thunders of applause that greet
John B. Go Ugh, on the platform of Exeter
Hall, or the Academy of Music, l am hear
ing the echo of that tap on the shoulder,
and of that kind invitation under the an
cent elms of Worcester He that winneth
souls is wise-Cuyler.