New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-16
THE METHODIST CENTENNIAL

IERESrING EXERCISES.
PHILADELPHIA, July 15-Three sessions were
held today beginning at q. m, at 230 p. IN. and 7;D
pm The MISUNDERSTANDING the day sessions was very
good ia the evening the building crowded 1t is an
old-iashioned brick structure, standing back few
feet nom the street. and in the center OF the front
tablet TO the memory the Rev. Ezoke Cooper one OF
the early pastors whose remains lie in the middle OF the
docryard Tablets either side OF the pulpit record
the names OF than 100 pastors which the church
had between the years 1869 and 1869. The
gallery Is steep and high, and that part
OF 1t in the front OF the church facing the
pulpit extends nearly one-thlrd Of the length Of the
church. At the morning session to-day, the Rev. Dr.
Wm Cooper presided and devotional exercises were led
by the Rev. Mr. LOyerign. There organ or other
musical instrument in the church, and the singing was
entirely Congregational
THE GROWTH OF sErHODIsN
The first paper OF the day read by the Rev. c. H.
Phoebus OF the Wilmington Conference. on "The Con-
ferences formed during the century" Mr. Phoebus gave
thorough and comprehensive review Of the history OF
tho Methodist Episcopal Church from its inception In
field preaching in England. showing not only the
gradual and steady growth OF the people called
MethOdss" in strength and numbers but its change In
p0ity and In the character OF its organization While
now amember OF tho Methodist Episcopal Church may
not, without violation OF his church even drink
Intoxicating liquors as a beverage, IL was
long before it was In violation OF tine
church laws sell liquors, and the first legislation on
the subject simply made 1t ofense to keep dram
shop In which there was disorder riOting The slow
growth Of the antslavery sentiment in the church Is
matter OF recent history. Mr.. Phoebus gave
sketch OF all the early Conferences OF the
church in America, and maintained that the
one held IN this city in 1773 was as truly
conference any subsequently, held, though differing
from them character The Church was organized as
nf
regular legislative conference was held until 1872
Prior TO that time the bishops or presiding officers
cised the same despotic power in the disposition
OF business which John Wesley did over his societies
n'Engand and allowed no expression OF opinion By
the preachers except 1t agreed with their own The
momenous events the history OF the Church, the Sc
cessons and descriptions, were noted. as well as the
times OF special prosperity. In 1873 there was
one conference, six circuits and stations, ten
preachers, and l,l6O church members. There
are now in the Methodist Episcopal Church 70 confer
ences over 10000 travelling preachers, and nearly one
million ana half OF members. Beside these there are
the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the
several EonEpiscopal Methodist bodies In the
United States and Canadas. Mr.. Phoeous's
paper was full OF statistical matter Of great value as
part OF the history of the Church. and contained sew
era documents prominent In the olden times
which had never before been published. Long as twas
IL was listened to with marked attention.
THE METHODIST CHURCH IN CANADA.
The Rev. Dr. Ryerson, representative Of the Canadian
Methodist Episcopal Church read elaborate paper on
the Rise and Progress OF MethOdism In Canada and the
Relations of the Canadian with the American
Methodist Church. He said that OF 6S2 ministers IN
his Church he was the Oldest and the only
one who had received his ordination from Bishop
Hedding OF tho American Church, he was connect
ing link between the Churches. He said he
appeared among his brethren with peculiar confidence
and satisfaction from the fact that for 80 years past ne
had held the Office Of Chief superintendent of Education
for Upper Canada and had been enabled to devise and
develope system OF public instruction In which he had
drawn largely on the United States to whose systems
and enterprise he had always referred in
his reports in terms OF eulogy stand before you he
said with nothing blush for modify as 10 act
OF my past life In regard to your countya loyal Cana
dian and loyal American. strong in my attachment to
the free institutions OF my country and strong in
my friendship TO the free Institutions OF your
country. The first Methodiss in Upper Canada were
among the Palatines who removed from New-York
The first preacher sent among them was Mr.. Losee.
Methodism increased aud grew rapidly in Canada until
the Revolutionary war, during which it lost ground
The separation Of the Canadian Church from
the Methodist Church Of the United States
was a natural result OF the Jealousy or
the Canadian Government Of any foreign
influence over their citizens The preachers who were
appointed from the Republic were without the influence
which ministers ought TO possess and u 1923 the Meth
odst Of Canada asked the General Conference TO do for
them what John Wesley had done Tor the American
Church III l7sI-set them of as separate body.
This was done in the kindest spirit, which has ever
since been maintained between the two churches The
immediate benefit OF this separation was seen in the
right which was soon after granted by King william
to Methodist Preachers Of Canada TO solemnze
marriage, and to the Methodist people TO
buy aud hold real estate, thus enabling them to bury
their dead in cOnsecrated ground owned by themselves
The denomination in Canada now numbers 7O6Si mem
bers $50 preachers and 233 missionaries and during the
last year Methodist churches have been built at the rate
Of one day.
The Secretary explained the absence Of Bishop Bow
man. who had been announced to read a paper during
tho morning session. The Committee received mes
sage saying that he could not be present at too late
date 70 make change in the printed programme. The
meeting closed with the Do1ology.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The afternoon session opened at $50; the Rev. T. ].
Thompson of the Wilmington Conference presided, and
the Rev Mr. Monroe OF the Central Pennsylvania Con-
ference read the Hymn Oh for thousand tongues to
sing" and after sung by the congregation ne LED
In prayer The Hymn, Awake to sing the song OF
Moses and tho Lamb" was then sung An essay
on the Methodist Educational Work OF the century
was read by the Rev. L. o. Haven formerly President
OF nch,pan IJniversty more recently the Northwest
ern University and at present Secretary of the Educa
ton BOARD OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHURCH EXTENSION
Dr. Haven wac listened TO with close attention. aud at
the close OF his essay the hymn A hail the power Of
Jesus' namep was sung. DR.. Kynett Corresponding
Secretary Of Che Church Extension socetyof the NJ f.
Church read paper on az th church
as a whole, nor to the church building which Which
may be carried on by CONGRATULATIONS it th ne S
Wn uaa. A ia
OF building churches for communities unable 70 40 the
work for Themselves or all the Methodist bodies in
America thc Methodist Episcopel Church ia the only
which has an organized system for this purpose;
This Is somewhat strange a. the ., Eug'apu
committee who have charge of 1t consists
OF 80 ministers and 30 aymen ana s purpose Is 70 de