The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-12-31
Methodist Centennial Celebration.


ship TO increased zeal in promoting thu
religious, missionary, benevolent and ed
ucational interests of the church. Not
w,hstanding the great effort to secure 1t
the attendance ~qs much less general thar
the importance of the occasion demanded
and we fear that many who have given
little attention to their church history
missed II very favorable opportunity fol
becoming acquainted with the subject.
The morning session, commencing at
10 80, was given to an address by Rev. T. j
Leek, of Cleveland, which was received
with almost universal favor and enthusiaS
tic praise of both the subject matter Of the
address and the manner OF its delivery
Indeed, the large majority gave him hon.
orable place amons distinguished orators
aud divines, and only the insignificant
minority holds that the address in thought
expression and manner of delivery was
unequal to the demands of the subject and
occasion.
1t is thought that fair criticism would
be, that the address was lacking in origi.
nality, too superficicial in thought and
philosophic comprehension Of the social,
political and religious events connected
with and growing out OF the origin and
spread of the Methodist Church and
its doctrines; that the delivery in lis
historical and narrative portions, was
strained AMI unnatural; too declamatO.
ry, impassioned and primitive in style
to be ranked among the best models
and most effective oratorical efforts.
The incoTigible and unappreciatiye min.
ority insists that il is not the Legitimate
province OF criticism TO cover with indS.
criminate praise every literary effort that
perchance happens to be given in our Gel.
ebrated town and under the auspices Of
some local society or church organization,
and though it would be much pleasanler
TO be complimentary and appreciative, the
danger that some outsider, discreetly
critical might SET one down Tor a weak
dispenser Of tafry, turns the scale in favor
Of giving an honest opinion, and more eS.
pecially since il has been well established
in literary matters and matters OF taste, as
in politics and religion, that majorlties are
not always iniallible. Lest the minority
should appear cynical, 1t is not permitted
10 characterize the elocutlon as 1t deserves.
At the close the speaker warmed up 10
apparently genuine sympathy with his
subject, and for the last quarter Of an hour
came very near true eloquence, TO- in fact,
deserving the extravagant praise awarded
by the majority, and did much to make
amends for the faults and exirayagances
of the earlier parts Of the address.
The afternoon, under the direction Of
DIR. Hoyt who presided, was given to the
topics of the programme. Rev. N. s.
Albright gave an extempore address on
"Methodism and Missions" in place Of
Mrs. J. w. Houghton who was unable 10
be present, Mrs. w. r. Santley read a
carefully prepared paper on the topic,
"Methodism and Education" and Mrs.
T. G. Yale one on "Methodism and the
Sunday School," comprehensive and able.
Mrs. N. s. Albright read the last paper Of
the afternoon, a History Of Methodism In
Wellington" giving an account OF the
organization Of the society, the names and
terms OF the pastors who have served here,
and the gradual growth Of the church in
numbers and financial strength.
This paper is TO be revised, made more
complete and probably will be published
in pamphlet form. We hope it will not
be regarded invidious If we say that the
exercises Of the afternoon were the most
entertaining and profitable Of the day.
Alter tea Mrs ii. McDermott read a
paper on Missionary Work of the NJ. E
Church in Wellington. Mrs. II. d. Sage,
Mrs. j. Morris, Mr.. J. II. Woolley and Mr..
Cyril Wadsworth gave interesting person.
al "reminiscences Of the early history and
work Of the society. Rev. Joseph Santley
furnished a paper, "Recollections Of an
Ilinerant." He was among the pioneers
and knew the length and depth OF the roads
over Wellington circuit by the test Of
regularly riding through them to his ap
pointments.
A conference meeting or unusual inter
est and profit closed the exercises Of the
day. II is to be regretted that any Of the
members of the society were absent from
this centennial anniversary, since II was
so well calculated 10 inform them as "a
the history, character and aims Of the
church. In the language of DR.. Buckley
"0ur chief sollcitude is not that Method
ism should be praised for its past, but that
II may be worthy Of respect and confidence
fol the present: and that It's future may be
assured by the wisdom which adheres To
all the essential elements Of power, while
replacing the unessential by such modif.
cations as will ally 1t to all that is good
and make II an increasing force for God
In this great nation, in its homes, and