Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-03-06
THE METHODIST CENTENNIAL.
THE CENTENARY OF AMERICAN
METHODISM.
How the Methodist Episcopal Church in
the South, Proposes to Celebrate
the Great Event.
Spectral Correspondence of the Sentinel.


the South, Proposes to Celebrate
the Great Event.
Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March l, 81
This year, 1884, is great and notable
one in the annals of American Meth
odism. It will witness the celebration
ofthe one hundredth anniversary of the
Methodist Episcopal Church on this
continent, and ia certain to prove
year of usefulness, activity and pro-
found interest throughout the wide
extended borders of that denomination
of Christians. The grand historic facts
relating to the banefcient character
and wonderful achievements Of Chris
tianity through the organized plans
and the doctrines of Methodism dur
ing its pathway through this century
its existence in America, are truly
phenomenal, as acknowledged by the
worlds minds, and is one of the
grandest problems of the ages.
With more COMMITMENTS than any
other religious body in America, it is
a matter of interest to briefly review
some of the facts Of general interest
connected with history of the Metho
dist Church. Beginning in obscurity
and feebleness, it has achieved for it
self everywhere a wonderful success.
This great religious movement has, i'm
mediately or remotely, so given an
impulse to Christian feeling and pro-
fession, on all sides, that it has come
to present itself as the starting-point
Of our modern religious history.
In 1881, the year when the Mctho-
dist Church was organized i'll Balti-
more, when Coke and Asbury were
acknowledged and set apart as Super
intendents, or Bishops, there were on
| ly 14,98S members, SO preachers, "a
| church buildings, no missionaries, and
no institution Of learning within the
bounds of the denomination. But
from that time until the present the
| growth of Methodism has been almost
! incalculable This result was achiev
ed by men who can we'll be denomina-
ted heroes in the loftiest sense of the
words Accepting the motto of John
Wesley-their Church's founder
"The World is my Parish" these men
of God trayersed every State and Ter
ritory of our great country, preaching
the gospel with power and in denom-
ination of the Spirit-building up the
Church. Their entire singleness OF
purpose in spreading the gospel has
been their prominent characteristic
and to-day American Methodism mum
bcrs within her various branches 81
993,725 members; 25,S39 travelling
preachers, and 34,714 local preachers
$4,000 church-edifices valued at $780,
100000; 25S institutions of learning
embracing university, colleges, semi
naries and high schools; in 1882 had
433 missionaries in foreign field sent
from America, besides, 1906, native
helpers and during that year con
tributed for the cause of foreign mis-
sions the snm of's551 AL "A.
The NJ. E., Church, South, has pre-
pared to join the celebration of ''tht
Centennial Anniversary of the Organi
cation of the Methodist Episcopa
Church in America" which will nccul
in Baltimore on Dee, 27, and propose
to commemorate the great even
throughout its entire bounds with suit
able services.
1t may be interesting to the Sen
TINELs readers to recount what Amer
lean Mcthodism has heretofore accom-
plished on her Centenary occasions
We first revert to the Centennial o
1889. As the first Methodist Society
was formed in London in the month 0
November, 1879, so 1889 became prop
erty the one hundredth year Of Meth
odism. 1t was accordingly celebrated
in Europe and America. During tina
Centenary year, with a membership o
1926 members, including colore'
members and Indians, the Methods
Church in America raised s600,O0
for missions, educational purposes, AM
for the support of the worn-out preach
ers, and the widows, children, and OF
phans of preachers. The Wesleya
Methodists of Great Britain raised owe
f one million dollars for similar objects
The next Methodist Centennia
event was in 1866. 1t was in CON
memoration of the first Methods
: preaching services held in this countr
, in 1866. and was celebrated by tn
, Methodist Episcopal Church in 186t
Able and competent committee
have this work in hand, and wi
, spare no effort to successfully consum
, it. The Central Centenary Commi
r tee, with headquarters at Nashville
Tenn, is composed as follows: L. L
Hendrix, DID,, of Missouri, Chair
man; w. P Harrison, DID, Secre
tary; Wills. Williams, Assistant Secrt
tary; Judge James Whitworth, Trea:
urer; Bishop III. n. McTyeire, l.. |
D Palmer, Esq, of Nashville, and Jane
4 G. Carter, Esq, of Louisville, K.
The following is the Centenary Con
mittee of the Greensboro District
:. r. O. Burton, P. E., Rev. A. r. RAY
en-, and James w. Reid. M.
4 Penny Wise and Pound Foolish.