The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-11
THE METHODIST CENTENARY.
Bishop Foster, in an Eloquent Address,
Urges Increased Zeal in the Pulpit

BALTIMORE Dec l0-The centennial con-
Ference of Methodism assembled this morning at
Mount Vernon Church. A large number of dele
gates were present, and the church was crowded
10 it's utmost capacity, many being unable to
gain admission. Bishop Andrews, chairman Of
the general executive committee called the con-
ference to order, and on his nomination Bishop
Cranberry was chosen presiding officer for to-
Gays session.
The venerable Dr. Jos Cummins read the
scripture lesson from Isaiah, chapter sixty two.
A centenary hymn composed for the occasion
by Rev. S. K Cox, D.. D., of Washington, was
vung by the entire body of delegates, the
audience uniting.
Bishop Foster, D. D., read the second lesson
Tor the day from the seventeenth chapter of St.
Johns gospel lie then delivered the sermon
appointed for the opening day. In his sermon
he said:
Brother delegates, a common bond draws us
together for our hundredth anniversary as a
church We must ponder on the past, prepare
for the emergency of the present, and plan for
the coming century shadow has been cast
over our conference by the recent death of two
of our bishops who were appointed to partici-
pate in this days proceedings. This hour
which was to have been one of brightness. Is
eclDSe0--Our TWO great Sldnuaru- bearers absent.
They looked forward to our assembling; they
even formulated words for their welcome.
George Pierce and Matthew Simpson-their
fame shone for forty years Bishop Pierce was
born in February, 1911, and Bishop Simpson
four months later Each made mistake in
choosing profession. Pierce turned to
S.o IA S4d Simpson TO medicine.
Both were delegates to the conference
of 1886 Simpson was made bishop in 1852
and Pierce in 1854. They were appointed re-
spectively as speaker and alternate TO make the
opening address at this conference We cannot
doubt that in whatever world they today,
they arc deeply interested in humanity. They
may be assigned TO duties but they cannot
but be our felow-workers, not for to-day, but
for all time. We cannot linger at their graves;
we must renew the work they bequeath to US
grid ourselves with courage and hope and ad-
vance to renewed work. We know what their
command would be; Close up the ranks-for-
wardp They would speak from their pulpits
In the sky in tones of solemnlty.
"The programme arranged for the coming
day's conference confines my duty on this occa-
sion to a close field. We are here, not so much
for remembrance as for counsel; not to celebrate
victory but TO gird our oins; to devise wise
and skillful methods to be strong; to meet the
demagogy of our own age as our fathers met
it in their days. The dawn of the last century
was time for thought; infdelity then stalked
abroad unrebuked, and Christendom seemed to
be failing in 1884. The opening of the 1884 cen
tury, if not as dark, is dark enough. The condi-
ized ancient and time honored theories are be-
ing exploded; sacred institutions are put
10 the strain of great tests. We are
The final dominion of the world
The false and groundless will pass away; the
fortress of lies has kept the world in slavery
There will be conflict, but Zion will be left with
no rent in her foundation. Progress will be
Blow, but it will be founded on eternal truth
The church abides forever; Individual churches
have no such promise The only hope of any
church is the fact of the truth it possesses, and
the ability 10 cast out unsound principles. 1t
was fortunate that Calvinism went down. All
its great truth could not float its errors The
church must guard its creed its sheet anchor
Its life blood Our creed will bear the test of
the most intelligent criticism
Bishop Foster spoke of platitudes in the pulpit
and said:
To-day there is a vast amount of endless and
spiritless preaching The greatest need is "a re-
Vival of the pulpit in all Professionalism and more
than all in the Methodist Church"
The Bishop made appeal for temperance
after which the "Hallelujah' chorus was sung
snG the session closed with the benedicton.
At the afternoon session of the Methodist cen
tenary Rev. DR. John Wiley read an essay on
the Work of the Christian Conference" Rev
Henry B. Rideeway, d. D., of Illinois read an
sssay on '"Ihe Personnel of the Christmas Con.
ference"
Tonight there were meetings in eleven
churches, including four coored Methodist
churches. at all Of which the subject of mis-
ions was discussed and the general feeling was
hat deeper interest should be- taken in mis-.
hon work and the spread of the church in for
hgn lands.