The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-16
METHODISM In AMERICA.
Centennial Exercises in st. Georges
Church, Philadelphia.
The Rise and Progress Of the Methodist Denomi-
nation in This country-Addresses
by Eminent Divines

PHILADELPHIA, July 10. 1878.
The centennial mania has at length reached the
Methodist church, and the city to-day. as 1t has
been since Saturday, is well represented by Meth
odsts from all portions Of the country, Canada in
cuded In attendance at the centennial celebra-
ton now being held at st. Georges church. On
Sunday was the one hundredth anniversary OF the
first conference of Methodist preachers in this
country held in this city. To celebrate this aus
picious event invitations were extended TO the
prominent clerRymen OF this denomination
throughout the Union, and the result Is that
large number ia in ATTENDANCE, and the exercises
OF the Centenary Conference will close to-
morrow evening with a grand love feast
and general reunion at the Academy OF
Music, st. Georges church, an antedeluvian
looking structure in Fourth street. where the pOus
bretnren 6rst assembled in conference, 100 years
ago, still stands az q monument OF the past and
the centennial servlces have been held there
Although not large in the striH ae9Se Of tue ~ord
II is fully equal for the occasion, and
ITS OLD-FAsHIONED SEATS
yet afYord first class acoustic properties The
pulpit stands at the back OF the main room, on the
second oor facing the street. 1t still retains the
venerable hnger.marked Bible that has been
used by the numerous shephefds for the past
century, enc ne sane sots and old.fasn-
6ned chairs adorn the rear Of the plat
fbfrn, as In the primitive days Of the Church
in this city. Two upright marble slabs At least
four ieet in length either side Of the altar, bear
the OF the former pastors Of this particular
church, some Of whom now occupy exalted posi-
tions, but by far the greater number sleep with
their fathers. Altogether, since the foundation Of
st. Georges church. 100 pastors have occupied its
pulpt. Appropriate services in honor OF the Occa-
sion were held in the various Methodist churcnes
throughout the city on Sunday last. On Monday
81. Georges was
LITERALLY PACKED
with visiting and resident brethren. The ladies OF
the congregation contributed a choice noral oYer.
ing, which they placed in front Of the pulpit and
whose aroma pervaded the whole structure. Occu-
pyng seats in the platform were many well known
divnes whose heads nave grown gray In the cause
OF Aethodlsm. Among them was the venerable
Bishop James, the Oldest efficient ofcial OF this de-
nomination; Rev. Francis MOrrall, OF the New Jer-
sey Conference; Rev. DR.. Ryerson, OF the Canadian
Conference; Rev. George A. Ph9bus, Of the Will
mington DELI Conference, and many others.
Bishop James presided, and Rev. Mr. Swindell was
chosen Secretary. The opening address was deliv-
cred by Bishop James and occupied something over
an hour in duration. 1t was an able and interest
ing sketch OF the
RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODIST
in this country. lie closed his remarks with fer
vent wish that the members OF the denomination
throughout the land would prosper, increase and
multiply. He was followed by Rev. j. Is. Wakely,
| u. D., ofNew York, who read an essay Method
ism in America Before the First Annual Confer
ence." In the evening the exercises began at
eight O'Clock. Prayer was offered by Rev. bishop
Campbell, OF the African church. At It's conclusion
| address on the first churches in which the Metho-
| dists worshipped in this country. Among them
he enumerated many which were familiar to those
| OF twenty and thirty and ninety years ago, and
| gave interesting "reminiscences concerning each
| and their founders.
he said, that, when bought by the Methodists, In
1895, was but shell Of church. but the interior
howe's army came to Philadelphia, in 1777, the
church was taken possession OF and occupied by q
portion OF IT, and was riding I'd. school or their
Methodsts repaired the edi1ce throughout, In
process OF time floor was put down. For fifty
Tor worship in America. In the course OF his re.
marks he gave the statistics OF the power Of the
shown that to-day 1t has l,42l 500 members, with
1899 travelling and II, 1872 local ministers, has
1900 churches, worth $e2, 100000.
The old church edifce was well filled at ten
O'Clock and after prayer and the reading OF letters
the exercises as laid down In the programme were
begun by Rev. George A. Ph0ebus, Of the Whining
ton Conference, who read paper on 1.-THE Confer
exceedingly Interesting document and was re-
ceived with marked interest.
A' "A' REV EDGAR HYrRsox, D. D..
the delegate from the wesleyan Conference OF
Canada. Re In q nne looking man, and posse ssed
OF a clear well moduated voice for one so old. He
read an interesting paper on the rise and prog
ress OF Methodism in Canada, particularly in Upper
Canada. He said that when ne received the letter
OF the Secretary inviting him to participate In the
centenary exercises he was attending the Con-
ference OF the Canadian Church at London. He felt
specially honored by the invitation. The Canadian
Conference were thoroughly alive to the great
cause Of Methodism, and now had 6s2 members, OF
whom he was the Oldest; on whose head the hands
OF Bishop Hedding were laid In ordination
TO the work of the ministry both as deacon
and elder. lie stood connecting the past
with the present IN bis own person. While
the Canadian branch honored the American
Meth0dists az their fathers, he trusted they never
would have occasion TO be ashamed OF the honor
For thirty years, by the annual permission OF the
Canadian Conference, the reverend divine said
Conference and the government the ONCE OF Chief
superintendent OF Education for Upper Canada
and in that capacity had been enabled to devise
and develop system OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
IN that work he had borrowed much valuable in
formation from the American Methodists. He had
been In some instances charged by extreme partisan
writers IN Canada with having republican Tenderness
ana the adoption OF republican notions. He
pleaded guilty to the charge, but yet withal he
loyal Canadian and loyal American. (Applause.)
In speaking Of the rise and progress Of Methodism
In canada, especially In Upper Canada, q country
one hundred years ago constituting part OF
crown colony only known by report for its nhOs-
ptape climate It's beasts OF prey and savage trbes
tian hearts that twelve years afterwards the de-
scend6nts OF
THOSE PALATNHs
who had been driven by the papal armies OF Louis
XIV. to seek Protestant protection under the
British nag, and who we're members of the drat
Mathadiaf elnna u nj Ma Yovk snr~ns