Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-03-13
WILMINGTON CONFERENCE.
THE Law OF PROGRkSs IN VEG r.
TABLE AND ANIMAL LIFE. IT,
A statistical kession-AD Address iu
a,omme,nOration of the Centennial
Anniversary Of Methodism In the
United States.

United Sfhteb.
There WAS an increased attendapos at
the q ternoon session Of the Methodist Com
ference at Asbury thurch yesterday week.
The delegates were called to order at 2
O'Clock and after devotional exercises, a
statistical session was held. Under the
call of general statistios the various
ministers reported their work in oonneo-
tion with their churches and Sunday
schools tor the year. The matter will be
exhibited In detail to conference on
Friday.
Isaac Wood, q candidate for admission,
was presented to the conference by the
bishop.
After an enthusiastic rendition Of the
hymn, ''There is a fountain filled with
blood" the Rev. b. +. Price of Queens
town WAS introduced and delivered an
eloquent and able address in commemora-
tiop Of the centennial anniversary OF the
introduction of Methodism In the United
States. In opening he said the Methodist
church made its special mission that
order Of Jesus Christ's-'Go ye into all
na.ioDs preaching the gospel" Every
nation has its pronounced Methodists.
We have Asbury and Wesley; Asbury
was preceded by Wesley, The Oxford
student. have consulted history
as regards our Methodist church
know those who have spoken
with our beloved Asbury. We
can have history OF our church a5
spioy, attractive aud elaborate as any
thing by Froude or Msosulsy. Wesley
was the Paul of Britain. There are two
other names specially belonging to this
subject. One is Thomas Cope, friend of
Wesley, and Welshman by birth, born
In 1747. Frsucis Asbury was born in
Bnglsnd, an early convert to Methodism,
and at the age OF 16 he was a minister
he WAS unmarried, and denied himself
the luxuries Of domesticity he was born
10 1745. Another name, George White
field, a aoo-worker OF Wesley,a "a most eloquent
preacher. Charles Wesley, the brother
of John, ia remembered most partiou
lsrly as the ''sweet singer of Methcdism;"
his delightful melodies still retain their
position as standard hymus. During the
Revolution Methodists in this country
were without the advantages of the ssora-
ment were without an ordAiued priest. |
Mr.. Coke came over and had a meeting |
with Mr.. Asbury, when the latter was
made bishop and the present Christmas |
is the anniversary of that contamination. |
This church, referring to Asbury, is the
historic alma mater Of American Metho
dis. Basrett's Chapel was built
through tie mupifoeDoe OF man of that
name. The city Of New York ia the birth
place OF American Methodism through
Wesley, but here in our State the hrst
firm foothold was gained by Bishop
Asbury.
We bolieve womsn's true position In
the church CT Christ ia not the pulpit or
even it's neighborhoUd her affinity is
more In the direction OF mission work
We have brilliant instances of their sue
csso in their own trne province. William
Waters was the first native preacher OF
American Methodism, he oame from
western Maryland trust none will ever
seek admission IN our fold, any who ,oye
the perquisites nors than the work.
You, my lay friends, are indebted to
itiuerscy. 1t hss increased your moral
strength, and has been the spirit Of
physioal success. My lay frierds
you gain all ths advantages OF the per-
qnaites without experiencing the dis
advantages Of your classical brethren.
wonld wish to protest against writing
out the older preachers and fsvcriDg the
new blood in the ministry. When l speak
like this you will not judge me as both
the wrinkles OF age, aud the smOothness
of youth may bs discovered on my brow
Laughter Iu the forest, right along
side the gnaTled oak of centuries of age,
may be seen the bright, straight
scion of youth. Let US older
brelheren with whcm associate
myself feel no Jealousy at the brilliant
success OF these warm ardent eloquent
Young warriors in the army of Christ.
We claim that the Nsw Testament has
not prescribed sny system of church
government. Prssbyters and bishops
are same; the latter is position pred
icativs Of the former, as our President
ia only our chief civil maeistrate. We
believe in episcopacy as an office; ; bishops
are mentioned in holy wfit. We wish to
be understood as not refusing the prelsti-
cal idea of church government.
1t was significant thst Methodsm COM
menoed, WAS born here at Christmas tide,
the era when the colonies gained victory
over foreign power and peace was pro.
claimed between the two English speak
ing peoples.
The membership Of our church is COM
posed Of all members OF society, the
artist and the artisan, the ssvant ard
the laborsr. Methodism In its origin was
not echismatio. II was called of Gcd.
The greatest achievements of this CEN
tury have been In the direction OF evsngeli-
ration and onr church. the Methodist,
has been foremost rs respers and workers
in the harvest. May we not give
to the dynasty Of Msthodism thouaand
yearsY Her first bishop lived
to so years. say that OF all
agencies OF the nineteenth century the
Methodist church has been the
greatest. The local preacher is
the strongest arm of our church. We
claim that our ministers give Evidence of
the brightest intelleots among men. We
we're born amidst galaxy OF intellectu-
allty. We have had to hand always
members renowned for their alta nments
In ancient lore aud the classics are not
strange TO our teachers. | think the pass
ing of our Wesleyan College from this
plscs is catastrophe enough for this
g7GeratiOn. Msthodsm was introduced
When Burope was teeming with culture.
TIE cry of Wesley, that "Salvation is
free for ALL" electrified the world. We
now celebrate the third epoch in Meth
odist annals. In her calendars We zee
great names, from her bishops to her
novltiates The corridors OF Methodism
are trophy hung. After century of life
the Methodist Episcopal church is as
vigorous as ever. She needs no pruning
hands of, ecolesiaatios Ours ia a
heritage from God. Let our armies keep
on their pauoplies and shout for the
glory OF God.
Hsnce brethren in our calling 1t must
never be said that We began in the spirit
and ended in the flesh. Let US never
quench tue spirit Of rel j,ioing; let US be
Jubilsnt and shout for joy. repeat this
declaration that the necessity Of Metho-
dtsm has not osssed. foresee where the
Vatican now sits, where the Moslem
banner now faunts, Methodism viii
occupy their place. Ours it no favored
nor Oinecure class Of clergy ours is NJ
state episcopaoy our roll calls us from
post to pillar. The words OF Charming
that "Methoaism is Christianity
in reality" still resounds II
our ears; our fathers arr
Asbury and Wesley and Paul and Christ
Since this our Asbury was first bull
temples Of Methodism stud the streets
from the Christiana to the Brandywine
Yes, by and by they will stretch from
JopIa TO Japan, from Iceland to Terri
del Fuego. The followers of Methodian
will stand foremost in the future
Christianity.
After the sermon q unanimous vote 0