The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-05-26

The American Family Of Meth0diSts

ter known to one another and brlns
them into closer relations. 1t ma,
well be doubted whether there are
score Of Methodists who know the his
tory and peculiarities of the differen
Methodist bodies, and whether ther
are many who can even name then
all. Some Of them are quite obscure
and seldom come either under denom
national or public notice.
The largest and oldest Methods
organization in this country is The
Methodist Episcopal Church, from
which, at various times and fol
various reasons, companies have gone
out and founded separate bodies. Il
took its rise about 115 years ago, il
New York City and near Baltimore
almost simultaneously. The English
Wesleyan Conference sent over several
missionaries, to assist in spreading
holiness over the American colonies
but the War Of Independence inter
rupted this arrangement, and in 1874
the Methodist Episcopal Church was
organized in Baltimore, with two
bishops. In the ninety-seven years of
its existence as an organized body the
Church has had thirty-fve bishops, of
whom twenty have died, two dying in
the Church, South. Its annual con-
ferences have in 108 years increased
from one to ninety-five, and its men,
bers from 1000 to 1,743,000. The
Church has spread itself over the
whole country, entering the Southern
States a second time after the Civil
War, and counts now no less than II, :
561 pulpits, all of which are always
occupied.
The second Methodist body in the
United States, and also in the world in
numbers, is the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. 1t was organized i'll
1915, in consequence Of disruption
occurring in consequence of action by
the fourteenth General Conference,
held in New York City, in 1874. on
the case Of Bishop Andrew, Geor-
-gian, charged with being connected
with slave-holding by marriage. This
body has confined itself chiefly to the
Southern and Border States, though it
has conferences in Illinois, Indiana.
and on the Pacific Coast. 1t has six
bishops and thirty-nine annual con-
ferences, besides three mission
districts. The Church has grown
rapidly since the War. In 1866 it
had 1885 members: in 1879 it
reported 628,301, with 1881 itinerant
preachers. The differences between
the NJ E. Church and the NJ. e.
Church, South, are very small.
The African Methodist Episcopal
Church stands third in numerical
Importance It arose from secession
from the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Philadelphia, in 1916, Of some col
ored members, under the lead Of
Richard Allen, who became the first
bishop Of the Church. The seceders
thought they did not receive proper
consideration from their white breth-
ren. The Church extends pretty
nearly over the whole country. It
adopted the doctrines and polity of
the parent body, excepting the presid-
ing eldership. 1t has now nine bish-
ops, 215,000 members, and 1,418 itin-
Grant preachers. 1t is growing in
culture, as well as numbers.
The African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church was organized by another
secession of colored members from the
parent body in New Y York, in 1900, for
similar causes. Il has gained great
strength in the South. 1t has now
f91 900 members and 1900 itinerant
preachers. It's bishops, seven in num-
Der, are elected, we believe, every four
years, and are not consecrated
The United Brethren in Christ,
though it has an independent origin,
is Methodistic in doctrine and usages.
William Otterbein, its founder, was
of the ministry of the Reformed Ger
man Church. He organized the first
church in 1774 and held the first
annual conference in 1900. He was
friend and companion Of Asbury, at
whose conservation as bishop he
assisted, by laying on hands. The
United Brethren have quarterly, an
nual, and general conferences; classes.
leaders, stewards, exhorters, presiding
elders, itinerant preachers, and other
Methodist features. The bishops, of
whom there are five, are elected for
term of four years by the General
Conference. There are Al annual
conferences, 2,196 ministers, and 49,
935 members. The Church has
worked largely among the German
population.
The Methodist Protestant Church
is the outcome Of struggle in the
Methodist Episcopal Church on the
question Of lay representation and
abolition Of the presiding eldership
Many who seeded, or had been
excluded, met in Baltimore, in 1928,
and called a General Convention for
! 1880, at which an organization was
effected. No differences except Of
government and discipline distinguish
the Methodist Protestant from the
parent body. Laymen participate in
all their conferences. They have no
presiding elders and no bishops.
Their conferences elect presidents and
a committee stations the ministers.
The Church divided before the War
on the slavery question, but was reu-
nitcd in 1871. 1t has 1900 itineraut
ministers and 113,405 members.
The Colored Methodist Episcopal
Church was organized in 1870 of col
ored ministers and members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South
!. In 1850 there we're ne less than Z07,-
f., 800 colored members connected with
the latter: but after the war they
began to leave for other Methods
: organizations which went into the
South, so that when the ColoreC
= Church was set up, in 1870, there were
ss only about 10000 members to go int
: it. 1t is modelled after the Church
10 South, and has 4 bishops, 636 itineran