The New York herald., 1873-07-01
THE METHODIST PREACHERS.


Religion In the Metropolis-Two Sides Of
the Great QuestiOn-Figures that Don't
Lie and Figures that DO-What the
Statistics ShOw-Summer Adjourn
ment.
The Methodist preachers met yesterday for the last
time this season as an association and adjourned
over until the first Monday in September next
During the vacation the brethren will spread them
selves around the country visiting the camp meet
ings and seaside resorts and snatching breath Of
sea or mountain air wherever they can. Some OF
them will no doubt be greatly relieved in mind by
the closing discussion on the relative condition Of
Methodism which took place yesterday Others
may not feel so comfortable under the facts stated.
But II, their reassembling again In the Fall, any
thing shall be done to vitalize their church ma
chinery and remove the reproach which now to
some extent seems to rest on the denomination
here the discussion will not have been in vain.
Rev. Mr.. MCALIsTER opened the debate, taking
very favorable view Of the
CONDITION OF METHODIsM IN NEW YORK
and Brooklyn. He called attention to the absolute
decline or humiliation of Episcopal Presbyterian
and other churches in tho neighborhood of sands
and York streets, and other Methodist churches in
Brooklyn while the latter yet remained vigorous
and active. The same thing he showed was true
also OF New York, and he maintained that Method,
ism In both cities had not given up single point
which it held twenty-five years ago. He forgot.
however, one point at which he himself ministered
some years ago, avenue d and Ninth street, which
has been given up. But other denominations
during this period had declined, he demon
strated He did not think therefore, that the de-
cline of Methodism was much OF fact; and he be-
leved that in the spirituality OF It's preachers and
Compare cor % iavoraSy with other denominations "ouu
Rev. JOHN PARKER referred to the wedding out
process which takes place in every Methodist
nhn nr0h of lanlf in hu yhInh
none but actual live members are retaincd on the
church books. This Is not the case with the de-
in q Presbyterian or Episcopal church and not
go near them three times In year; but Methodsts
have in their class meetings weekly tests OF
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THE MEMBERsHIP
Of the Church. He believed that One-thrd OF the
membership Of other % churches II IN the Methodist
three years; SO that II Methodist processes were
20 be- rather an aeoSS
The downtown churches he admitted, are
a question whether they can exist from
year to year. two weak churches could
good thing for them all. Methodists should initiate
the Presbyt terians in this particular: They
should also increase their nnrnh mission churches
the downtown churches thereby increasing the
burdens of those who remain. There are men
enough In st. Pauls church he believed to man
! every downtown church, and he would say, "Give
us back our children and let them stay where God
designed them 10 stay ana LABOR lOr the salVatlOn
| of their fellow men," He was glad, he said that
| the Greene street and Duane churches had agreed
| to come together, to sell their property and to
| bui d good church IN a central location.
STATISTICS OF METHODIsM IN NEW YORK.
Rev. c. G. Goss read some interesting statistics
concerning the progress Of Methodism in this city
from the time 1t began its work here In 1866 down
to 1870 and contrasted its condition with that of
other denominations and its ratio of increase to
population. In l76S the first Methodist Episcopal
church in America was built in John street. on the
site oil the church which stands there at No. A.
The population OF the city in that year was 1000.
In 1870 the Forsyth street church was built and In
1900 what is now known as the seventh street
church was erected. From that time onward
Methodism grew apace. But Its golden period was
from 1885 to 1860. It's relation to the population
between 1868 and 1870 IL follows according to the
statistics of church buildings