Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-03-24
REV. ALEM BRITAIN.


This aged and venerable member Of the Cen.
tral Pennsy ylyania NJ. L. Conference is personally
we'll known by 'the old settlers" Of Cloatfeld
county. Many years ago he Travelled oil over
this cousty, and about the time he lsft he mar.
ried Miss Goodfellow, sister Of Gideon d. Good
fellow, of this borough. Having just completed
his 6ftieth year in the ministry, he was called
upon at the recent annual meeting Of the Confer
encc, at Altoona, to preach his scmi centennial
sermon. We copy the following account Of this
service from the Altoona Daily Tribune, feeling
that many OF our readers will peruse II with
pleasure and interest
Rev. Mr.. Britain announced bis text from
Deutoron onomy ll-"The Lord God Of your
fathers make you a thousand times as many os
you are and bless you as be promised you"
The earlier part Of the discourse embraced the
origin, call, and character Of the ancient Israel.
ties, IN which was drawn pertinent analogy be-
tween them and the people called Methodists.
The points Of analogy indicated were, first, such
resemblanoes as were exhibited in tho commits.
sioning, qualifications and adaptabilty to their
work Of Moses and Wesley quoting with great
aptness Lord Maoauley's elegant tribute 10 Mr..
Wesley, whose scholarship and s,atesmanlike
qualities made him the peer Of Richeleu; ana,
second, such resemblances as exist between the
people Of Gods promife and those whom he rep.
resented here to-day. lie was careful to draw
distinctions as we'll rs rssemblancss, And iounl
no objection 10 his line Of thought In that the
Jews were now cast aside, since their rejection 10
not eternal and they had forfeited their blessings
by the tpirit Of disobedience.
The second part Of his discourse related TO his
own work during the past hity years. Ile re-
marked that fifty years ago this month be was
admitted inte the old Baltimore Conference. II
embraced all the territory nov occupied by the
Central Pennsylvania Conference together with
the State Of Maryland, a large part Of Virginia,
thence along the line Of North Carolina, and up
to and along the Allegheny mountains. Il en-
braced So circuits, lO6 ministers, and 2a,0po
members. Now, with one-third OF tho territory,
there are l74 circuits and stations, 1876 members;
or taking two Conferences, 307 charges, 3e5
ministers and 1900 members. Ny frst circuit
was in the Allegheny mountains, In the counties
Of Clearfeld, Indiana and Elk. II was 800 mi es
10 extent and required three weeks to encompass
y, preaching 10 the meantiue about nineteen
timer. The business Of the young itinerant was
to travel from settlement 10 settlement traversing
the deer and elk paths, oftimcs without a guide,
and preaching "Ohrist crucihed" 10 the people In
the wids. To these the Word was precious and
highly appreciated. But they are now gone
In these hard and toisome felds, said the speak =
er received but - per month. To day part
Of that circuit-the balance being In tho Erie
Conierenee-has IL charges, u ministers, and
pay ior the support Of the gospel 81, 900. This
circuit was q type Of the first three. fhe fourth
was IN the North Branch country, being the per.
WICK circuit Nov there are 4 charges and 70
preachers occupying tho field.
The speaker alluded touchin ely 10 this being
the saddest hour Of his life. when he felt that he
should step aside, remarking that if possible he
would endeayor to join in the spirit Of Johns
words "he must increase, but l must decrease .
IL was, neyertheless, a precious satisfaction 10
ieel that be had witnessed during his life the con.
version Of 5000 souls. From his standpoint he
would now invoke upon his people the two fold
benediction Of the text, the enlargement Of the
church In numbers and the spiritual blessings Of
that Holy One who said "Lo am with you
always, even unto the end Of the world"
An ArrroTiSo scnsE.
Al the conclusion Of the sermon the good
Bishop arose aud extended tbs aged veteran hi,
hand, and addrcssed him a. n "feliow -pil grim, >
whom God was sondiag To- the front and not "a
the rear. To the front where the chief honor
are II would take many OF the msn about ul
twcnty, thirty or forty years 10 get 10 your poin
OF distinction. He Invoked upon him the blessing
Of Almighty God. The scene was picture foi
an artist. The venerable men, ths sermon, th'
surrounding, the memorios, the multitads, III,
throbbing hearts, the softrned eyes, all combined
10 make II an hour not 10 be forgotten. III,
Gospel "Battis Hymn" was sung, known q
/ aIta TlauaauH X....u