The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-20
q ITY INEELLIG N q Is.
THE METHODIST CONVENTION.
The Third Days Session of the Methodist
stute Convention - General Business - The
Tonic md the Discussion.

Stute Convention - General Business = The
Topic and the Discussion.
The third days session OF the Pennsylvania State
Convention OF Methodsts was held this morning
at o'clock in the 81. Georges NJ E. Church,
The proceedings were opened with the reading
of the 1s3d Psalm, the singing OF the first hymn and
prayer by the Rev. James Curns, Of the Central
After the reading OF the minutes, no other busi-
ness being before the convention, the topic of the
morning "The Educational interests OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania" was then
taken up, the committee the subject being Rev.
George Looms, D. d., Rev. r. L. Dashiel, d. d., and
Professor Burnett
Dr. LOOMS, after few Introductory remarks, ad-
dressed himself to the subject as folows-
In Gods plans institutions are mightier aud more
enduring than their founders. The latter die, but
the former live through the centuries with broader
and iptenscr life.
he outnowing life currents of these institutions are
more potent and more enduring than even the insti-
tutions themselves. The latter shall be infolded In
the tomb of time but the former shall flow through
the eternties in ever-ncreasing intensity. -
The lifepores of oxford entered into the Wesleys
with profound scholarship Of a broad culture and
rigid training, thanks to oxford IetiWesleyism to-
day mgeT tnah 0SIoTq @ ASer 1 oe Ve aptnre
had been gathered up into the life OF university,
that university became the birth place OF hehodism
after the lapse Of less than century and half.
To-day, in its ethical and Christian forces, in its
science and purifying the fount of public morals, in
its work of educating the millions and recasting
thought and modifying the character OF the age, in
its upliftngs of humanity and its realizations OF
common brotherhood, in thought, TRUTH and Chris
tianity, Methodsm is infinitely greater than the
university that gave it birth.
Yet thanks to the university for the scholarship,
culture, ard training of the members OF the "Hoy
Club" Through the ministers of the university God
has demanded not only sanctifed hearts but
thorough scholarship and profound learning ana
rigid Intellectual training. 1t was work of laying
broad foundations, and laying them deep and laying
.hem wisely, and God had need as He always hath,
OF master and workmen.
Methodism, then, from its inspiration in the uni
versy, and in the divine forces of Christianity and
in the great pans has ever been true to this tnspi
ration. 1t is better to be called lunatic than
fool We are not forgetful Of the fact that Metho-
Gated ministry. No charge was ever more ground
less or more indicative Of ignorance of the mis-
sionary spirit and work of Methodsm.
Wesley from the first of his ministrations, recog-
DiZed the conservative power OF education and the
necessity of literary institutions.
Commencing the work of evangelization among
the golfers Of England, he untes with Whitfield in
laying the foundation OF the now noted kingswood
School 1t was a grand scene, the laying of the
cornerstone of that school-Whitded kneeling on
the ground, surrounded by converted and weeping
colliers, awakened TO new intellectual as well as
moral life, earnestly praying, amidst tears aud
groans, that God would bless the cause Of Christian
education. Such the scene
dreD which schools each year add to the thousands
who have received instruction IN them. AT his first
conference he proposed theological school, semi
nary where men should be trained for the work of
the ministry. This proposition finds its embodiment
to-day in the theological institutions of Richmond
and Didsbury, and of Boston, Evanstown, and Mad-
son.
would not have those who have echoed and re-
echoed the charge referred to above forget that it is
a part OF history-possbly of UNCONVENTIONAL con-
gratulation-that Princeton, to-day rigdy Calvin
stic in its theology, was warmed into life by Metho-
distic fire, and that Nassau Hall received Metho-
distic baptism at its birth, through the ministry of
Whitfield. He inspired it's foundations with an ear
funds Its President, Davies wrote thus to Wes-
ley:-"How great is the honor God is conferring
upon you in making you resorer of declining rei-
Another historic fact:-
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, bears the
name of Lord Dartmouth nobleInan of England,
and none the less noble from being Methodist him
se nd Ge H @qa on 90 re one
whom the Gospel sways," land one who wears
one hundred years ago this college received
Methodist dedication, and Methodist was its prn-
cipa benefactor, and Methodists prayers entered
into its life. All loDg the line of Methodisttc his
tory find schools, semnaries, and colleges spring
ing into existence and the best talent OF the Church
Besides the wesleyan theological institutions aud
Wesleyan colleges and Wesleyan normal iGstitu-
tions, Methodism has in England grand scheme
which comprises nearly five hundred day schools
and sixty Thousand pupils.
American Methodsm has an unprecedented record
OF labor and sacrifice in founding its universities,
colleges, and the like, the number of which largely
exceeds that OF any other denomination in the land
Men who read the history and view the educational
movements of the Church, and witness the spirit Of
sacrifice pervadng the heroic corps OF educators,
who apprehend the life and genius Of Methodism,
will never repeat the charge.
He is a very silly loglcian VINO bases MS generali-
cations on accidental circumstances, or circum-
scribes his line OF thought to individual cases and
The genius OF Methodism prompts aud hath ever
prompted to do the work of the hour-to take up
the duty nearest at hand, 10 cO-Wofk IN the living
present with Gods pTOVidenceS, using the best
agencies at hand to forecast the future and prepare
for the emergencies that shall press her at every
point OF her expanding greatness. Thus her genius.
Thus her life. Hence Christ and salvation through
Christ frot and tnen the press and the schools. We
would here record the fact, not boastngly,
but with great gratitude TO Cod that in its educst
ing forces re ching out and taking hold OF the mil
lion through the Book Concern aud its numerous
repositories through the press and its vast issues,
interlacng the continent through its semln aries and
colleges, Methodism is without a parallel in denOmi-
national history, Therefore any man who has a
reputation for general Intelligence cannot afford TO
assume that our Church is opposed TO education
Pennsylvania Methodism Is no exception to the
general position taken above; her tional his
is OF faith labor, and sacrifice She has not
accomplished what she ought to have accomplished.
Her seminaries and colleges ought to have to-day
broader foundations, ampler facilities for instruc-
ton, and larger endowments, faculties, and patron
age. The heart, prayers and wealth of the Church
ought to have entered more largely into the life OF
those institutions. More OF her sons and daughters
ought to have crowded her scholastic halls, and,
thoroughly educated, gone forth TO bless the Church
and TO reflect honor on the State. Conceding all
this, yet it has entered into history that Methodlsm
has done great educational work in Pennsylvania.
The statistics Of this work, which have been fur
nished us, are not as ample could be desired but
yet sufficiently so TO give comprehensive view.
We commence with Wyoming Seminary
WYOMING SEMINARY AND COMMERCIAL COLLEGE
This institution is located in the Wyoming Valley,
at KenspgtOn. It was founded in 1874 with humble
hegnnings it has developed strong life. Its doors
are open alike to males and females. Daring the
last quarter OF century 1t has enrolled 5000 stu
dents. 1t has had about 5000 under training for
teachers II has prepared l25 for college, has sent
forth $50 TO tue work of the Christian ministry The
last catalogue shows board of instruction consist
ing OF l6 members, with Rev. Reuben Nelson, ID d.
as principal and an attendance of $50 students, 3TJ
OF whom are males and lSl females
The seminary property is estimated at Sl250OO. II
has record worthy OF the Church of the State
DICKINSON SEMINARY.
This institution is located at Willamsport. 1t EN-
braces both sexes under the government
DuildinQS anaciOuS w