Morning journal and courier., 1884-11-17

In a hun0red years MethOd1Sm has grown from the smallest of these bodies of Chris tians to one and a half times the num- Der of Baptists, four times the number of Presbyterians, nine times the number of Congregationalists, ten times the number of Episcopalians, in brief to more than one third of all the Protestant Christians in the United States
 In New England Methodism had no fair chance. The communities for generations had been preoccupied by other churches, pre-eminently the Congregational. Here it has had to contend against the prestige, wealth, social influence, and traditions of a denomination extending from Plymouth Rock. Nevertheless it is constantly gaining ground in New England. But in the Vest Northwest and South where she had an equal opportunity in the development of new States, she has passed to the front rank. In some States, like EIndiana and Iowa, Method ism enrolls more communicants than all oth- CT Protestant churches combined. Reckon ing three adherents to each communicant and we have sixteen millions of the people of the United States under the influence of her pull pits and Sabbath schools, or one-t third of the Protestant population of the nation.
 Surely this is marvellous growth and proves that heavens blessing has richly owned the precious work of century. And this is more remarkable in the fact that Methodism has been the most rigid and nncompromising in her demands for strict unworldly Christian life. She has never drawn members from other church es because of her lax views catering to the unsanctified desires of half hearted Chris tiaDs for social pleasures and amusements that destroy the spirituality of pure religion. She has lost thousands who have gone else where to find more liberty for their luke warm and worldly indulgence in social pleasures She has never been stepmother, but mother.
 With the amazing growth in members has come a corresponding growth in church edi- fees, educational institutions and literature
 One hundred years ago Methodism had scarcely any churches-thirty all told. To-day thirty thousand. One hundred years ago no educational institutions. To-day ifty-two col leges, valued at eleven millions, besides over one hundred seminaries of learning for high CT education.
 The Baptists have forty-six colleges valued at$1O BOG, 1000; Congregationalists, twenty eight colleges valued at 5000, 900; Protestant Episcopal, twelve colleges valued at $S, 700,- 900; Presbyterians, forty-one colleges valued at $7, 900, 900. We have expended more for colleges and education than any other denom- ination.
 In general literature, the produce of the Methodist book concern has been $35, ,000, 900; American Tract society, (N. Y.), $1S,- COG, ,000; Baptist Publishing board, $6, 400, 600; American Bible society, S20,000, ,000; American Sunday school union, $9,2OO,O ,OOO; Presbyterian board, s5, 300, GOO; Congregation al board $3, 10O, ,000. Here is nothing of glorifcation, but the historic record of hun dred years we are reviewing
 The speaker in conclusion treated the fol- lowing sub-topics in explanation of the phil osophy of Methodism: 1st, it met the soul hunger of dying men and proclaimed free and boundless mercy; 2d, it was joyful re- 1igion; 3d, it utilized all men and women; 4th, it preached Christ, and it's sole aim was to bring souls to Christ; 5th, the mobility of it's forces and the itineracy made it 8 power.