The Russellville Democrat., 1884-03-13
METHODIST CENTENNIAL.
How the M. II. Church, South,
Propose to Celebrate the
Great Event.

Great Event.
This year, 1884, is a great and no
table one in the annals of American
Methodism. 1t will witness the eel
ebration Of the one hundredth ami
vcrsnry of the Methodist Episcopal
Church on-this continent, and is GER
tain TO prove a year OF unusual ac-
tivity and profound interest through
out the vide extended borders OF that
powerful denomination OF christians.
In 1854. The year when the Meth
odist church was organized in Balti-
lore. when Coke and Asbury were
acknowledged and set apart as Su-
perintendents, or Bishops, there were
only 14,9S8 members, SO preachers,
81 church buildings, no missionaries,
and no institutions of learning with
in the bounds Of the denomination.
The entire singleness OF spreading
the gospel has been their prominent
Characteristic, and to-day American
Methodism numbers within her va
rious branches 3,993,S24 members: !:
25.839 travelling preachers, and "a.
GA local preachers; $4,000 church
edifices valued at 100000, 600; 25S
institutions Of learning, embracing
universities, colleges, seminaries and
high schools; in 1882 had 433 mis-
sibnaries in foreign fields sent from
America, bssides l,906 native help
ers; and during that year contribu-
ted for the cause Of foreign missions
the sum OF $55l ,447.44.
The NJ. +. Church, South, has pre-
pared to jnin in the celebration OF
'the Centennial Anniversary OF the
organization OF the Methodist Episco-
pal Church in America" which will
occur in Baltimore on Dec. ~, and
proposes to commemorate the grea.
event throughout its entire bounds
with suitable services and by raising
funds for educational purposes,
church extension, and missions
three noble objects to which the lib
erality of the church will certainly
respond.
1t may be interesting to our read
ers to recount what American Meth
odism has hitherto accomplished on
her Centenary occasions. We first
revert tn the centennial of lS39 As
the first Methodist society was form
ed in London in the mouth OF No
vemher. 1889, so 1889 became prop
erly the one hundredth year OF Meth
odism. 1t was accordingly celebrat.
ed ia Europe and America. During
that centenary year, with a member
ship of 1925 members, including
colored members and Indians, the
Methodist church in America raised
100000 for missions, educational
purposes, and for the support OF worn
out preachers, and the widows, chill
dren. and orphans Of preachers. Tn,
Wesleyan Methodlsts OF Great Brit
ain raised over one million dollars
for similar objects.
The next Methodist centennial
event was in 1866. 1t was in com
nemoration of the first Methodist
preaching services held in this coun
try in l766, and was celebrated by
the Methodist Episcopal Church in
1866. Educstion and church exten-
sion were the great objects of their
benevolence. and $4,000. 900 was sug-
gestcd as the amount TO he raised
The result was a magnificent one.
the thank offerings amounting to $751;
709, 49S.39, or more than four times
the amount proposed at the outset.
The successful celebration oil these
two former centenary events should
certainly encourage our Southern
Methodist friends to the accomplish
ment OF the noble deeds they have
essayed. Such past ought to be
an inspiration.
Able and competent committees
have this work in hand, and will!
spare no effort TO successfully con
sumnate it. The central centenary
committee, with headquarters al
Nashville, Tenn, is composed as fol-
lows: 4. X. Hendricx, ID d., of Mis-
souri,, chairman; w. p. Harrison,
DID,, secretary; Wills. Williams. as
sistant secretary; Judge James
Whitworth, treasurer; Bishop II. N.
McTyelre, L. ID. Palmer, Esq, OF
Nashville. and James G. Carter, Esq, /,
OF louisville, KY The following is
tie centenary committee of the Ar
kansas conference:
Fort Smith District-M. E. Butt,
Z. e., Fort Smith; Rev. +. Nj. Moore,
Boonyiile; Capt. Frank Park. Fort
Smith.
Clarksyille District-V. V. Harlan,
+. f., Ozark; Rev i. L. Burrows,
Altus; T. Il. May, Clafksyille.
Morrilton District-T. j. Smith.
p +. Springfield; Rev. B. II. Great
house and w. w. Garland, Morlton.
Fayetteville Districts. III. Bah
cock, T. f., Splingdale; Rev. Fl. NJ.
Wclch, Fayetteville; DR.. w. ii. Ban
ton, Prairie Grove.
Yellville District-T. M. c. Bir-
minsham, +. f., Rally Hill; Rev. Ii.
G. jolly and DR.. ii. G. Allen, Noun
tain Home.
Darlanelle District-W. ID. Mat.
thews, T. f., Atkins; Rev. j. A. An
derson, Daraanele; j. +. Munday,
Ruesellvillc