The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-24
WHOLE No. 1854

ence one of their articles of religion,
saying: "The Congress, the General
Assemblies, and the Councils of State,
as the delegates Of the people, are the
rulers Of the United States of America,
! according to the division Of power
made to them by the General Act OF
Confederation, and by the Constitu-
tons of their respective States. And
the said States ought not to be subject
to any foreign jurisdiction" This arti-
Gle was modified SO as to conform to
the facts when the Constitution Of 1880
went into effect.
At this time there were less than co.
900 members in the societies the work
of supervision was done by one man
Francis Asbury. This one man, how
ever, was host; in strength of will,
the equal of Loyola; in self-sacrifce,
the peer of Xavier. 1t was his task to
make on horseback the tour from New
England to Georgia and back again
every year, weaving shuttle-like the
threads that held the web of Metho-
dism firmly together.
When he could no longer stand in
the pulpit he would sit and preach to
the people when he could no longer
walk up the pulpit stairs he would be
carried up in the strong arms ola young
companion, and still would preach. He
died, as we may say, by the roadside,
accepting the hospitality of the nearest
Methodist home in which to breathe
his last breath.
Perhaps the secret of success of
American Methodism has lain in the
fact of the tremendous impulse given
to it by the life and example of this
| heroic bishop. Certain it is he left be-
hind him host of worthy successors,
men who feared nothing but wrong
doing, and cared little for wealth or
fame. Nor is the original impulse of
those first years wholly exhausted. Since
1904 especially the growth of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church has been very
rapid. In that year its Church Exten-
sion Society was formed, which has dis
bursed in loans and grants, in the space
of twenty years, over $4,000, 900, and
has aidld nearly 1850 churches. In
that year also the Freedman's Aid So
ciety was founded, which has educated
already several thousand colored teach
ers, has founded twenty-four high-grade
schools of learning, and has disbursed
over million and quarter of money.
In union with the American Missionary
Association and other helpers, the Meth
odists are forwarding the solution of our
Southern problem to an extent which
statesmen will hereafter appreciate bet
ter than they do now. After all said,
many Of the most sagacious statesmen
our country possesses are the teachers
and preachers who are engaged in solv-
ing political questions by the processes
of Christianity.
Some important measures will come
before the General Conference now sit
ting in Philadelphia. 1t has in hand
the election of three or four bishops
a work which always excites lively in
terest, for the reason that each bishop
has the entire field of the Church for
his diocese. Whether he be in Asia,
Africa, Europe or America, he has a
flock to care for, and is its chief pastor.
Some demur begins to be made to this
worldwide travel, and it is thought by
some to be a waste of energy. 1t is
therefore proposed to appoint bishop
for churches in continental Europe, and
one also for the churches in India.
But, on the whole, much important leg
lslation cannot be expected at this ses-
sion. Since 1872, when lay represen-
tatlon was consummation, there has
been an inclination to rest from legis-
lative labor. Questions are mooted,
but are not settled; the review of adj
mnistrative work and the choosing of
officers for the ensuing four years alb
sorb attention and time. After the high
excitements extending from 1914 to
1872, the Church appears to crave re-
pose.-HARPER's.