Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-11
HOW METHoDISM
Is Celebrating Its First Cen
tenary
IN THE MONUMENTAL CITY
A Sketchy Bit of History Together With
the Program Of the Centen-
nal Conference.
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS

Episcopal Church assembled this morning
at Mt. Vernon Church. A large number of
delegates were present. The church was
crowded to the utmost extent and many
were unable TO gain admission. Bishop
Andrews, Chairman Of the General Execu-
tive Committee, called the Conference to
order, and on his nomination Bishop Grand
berry was chosen the presiding officer Of to-
days session. The Rev. DR.. Joseph Cum
minis, read the Scripture lesson from Isaiah,
chapter 62. A hymn composed for the
occasion BY Rev. S. K. Cox, D. D., of
Washington, was sung by the entire body of
delegates, the audience uniting.
Lovely Lane Chapel.
On the present site of the Merchant Club,
OF Baltimore which. stands on German
street, few doors west Of South, and right
in the heart OF the business portion of the
city, there was erected in l774 the Lovely
Lane Chapel, which was really the cradle
OF American Methodism. While the chapel
was not costly one it was built in a sub
stantial manner, for when the cite was
cleared few years ago some OF the old
chapel wa. Is were still there, and the work
men found it no easy task to remove them.
1t was very plain structure, and the wor-
shippers in it sat upon benches without
backs, and for ten years no stove was al
lowed within the walls.
1t was in this little chapel that, in 1884,
ten years after its erection and 100 years
ago, the Christmas Conference Of the Meth
odist Church of America was held. This
was the first general conference of the
church in America, and it is this great event
in the history of the denomination that
Methodists from all parts Of the country will
celebrate fer the next seven days in this
city. 1t is very fitting that Baltimore
should be chosen for such celebration, for
while both in Philadelphia and New York
Methodist preachers from England began
their work before they reached Baltimore,
vet at the same time Melhodism first gained
a strong foot hold here and all its general
conferences met here from the time of the
Christmas Conference in 1854 till 1872
John Kings First Sermon.
The first Methodist sermon was preachedin
Baltimore in 1870, BY John King. He had
for his pulpit blacksmith's block at the
corner of Front and French streets, near
the sight of the present Western Maryland
depot. He preached his next sermon at
the corner of Baltimore and Calvert streets.
but it being the training day for the militia
he was surrounded bya drunken rabble snd
was considerably annoyed. Little was
accomplished, however, until in
November, l772, when Mr., af-
terward Bishop, Asbury visited Bal
timore and began preaching both at the
Point and in the town. Early the next
year he succeeded in organizing two classes,
and in November, 1873, a site was secured
for the election of the First Methodist
Church. This was located on what was
then Strawberry Alley, now called Dallis
street. 1t is on "the Point and very near
the "Causeway," very dissolute section of
this city. The building still stands, but is
church no longer. The erection OF Lovely
Lane Chapel followed soon after this, and
few years latter Light Street Church,
larger structure was erected, from which
have grown all the Methodist churches in
the city.
1t is this growth of Methodism, shown
perhaps nearly as well in other cities in
America as in Baltimore, that this Centen.
nial Conference in Baltimore is to celebrate
All branches of Methodism which have an
episcopate will be represented by their ablest
men, and the Methodist Protestants will
send fraternal messages.
Objects OF fhe Conference.
The Conference, though delegated body,
is without authority to legislate in any way
for the Church at large. Its sole mission IS
to celebrate in grand way the phenomenal
growth of Methodism in America and to
carefully study the outlook in order that the
next 100 years be as fruitful ofgood results
10 the Church as the last century has been.
There will be 600 official delegates to the
body, and it is estimated that over 10000
strangers will be in town during the Confer
ence. The regular sessions of the Confer
ence will be held in Mt. Vernon Church
which is said to be the handsomest Metho-
dist Church in America, except perhaps,
one in Toronto Can.
Subjects to be Discussed.
The following programme has been ar
ranged:
First day-"Work of the Christmas Con-
ference" Prot. John Miley, d. D.; Person
mel of the Christmas Conference, Professor
Second dayE"The SUPPLEMENTARY Of
Asbury and What it Did for Methodism,"
Jesse Boring, D. D.; The Relation Of John
Wesley, 10 American Methodism," Alfred
Wheeler, D. D.. general discussion; "Ststis-
teal Results, Membership, etc, David Dor
chester, d. D.; Statistical Results, Educa-
tional and Financial" j. Z. Carlisle, LII. D.,
general discussion, to be opened by John
Gardner, d. ID.
Third day-"Methodism in 1884 and its
Outlook" o II. Warren, d. D.; Method
ism in 1891 and its Outlook" ]. D. Black
well, D. D., general discussion: Causes Of
the Success Of MethOdism," B. T. Lee, D.
D.; Possible Dangers of Future Method
ism" John 81. Vincent, d. d., general dis
cussion, to be opened by the Rev. W. Il.
| Yarrow.
Fourth day-"Rise and Progress Of
Methodism in Canada" J. A. Williams, d.
D: Methodist Pioneers and Their Work. >.
Professor Charles ]. Little, general discus
sion: as Methodism Losing its Power Over
the MassesY Bishop S. I. Jones, ID. d..
general discussion.
Fifth day-"The Aim and Character of
Methodist Preaching" A. S. Hunt D. D.;
Methodist Means Of Grace" Bishop L. II.
Holsey, D. D.; general discussion; "The
Doctrinal Unity Of Methoeisu, Anson
West d. D.; Guards to the Purity. Of oar
Doctrinal Teaching" r. \. Davis, ID. D.;
general discussion.
Sixth day-"The -Four Points Of Method,
ism-Heart Conversion, Assurance, Christ
ian Experience, and Sancti6cation, L,
Evans, b. D.; The Influence OF Methodism
on other Denominations" James v. King
! general discussion; "Yalue Of the Press tc
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