, 1886-04-11
mum.

From this statement you se that counting
the Methodist Episcopal church and the
Methodist Episcopal Church South as a
single denomination the Disciples stand fifth
in the number Of churches and members and
fourth In the number OF ordained ministers.
In the number OF congregations, ministers
and communicates the Disciples are numeri-
cally stronger in the United States than
either the Congregationalists or Episcopa-
lians The Year Book OF the Disciples Of
Christ, ' recently published, places the number
Of communicate at sos. All and the number
OF ordained ministers at 1900. When you
consider these figures I think that you would
excuse me II / were TO indulge in what men
call UNCONVENTIONAL Boosting. In the rapidity
OF Its growth the religious body known as the
Disciples OF Christ is one OF the wonders OF
the Nineteenth ctntury. This is not the
language Of al excited Imagination, but OF
sober ruth
II you doubt the CORRECTNESS OF this state
ment consider the length Of time which has
passed sincs the origin OF this religious move
ment, and compare it with the length Of time
which has passed since our brethren OF othe:
religious bodies began to work In America.
The first Presbyterian church In the United
States was organized in tho city OF Phladcl-
phia In l703-lSS years ago. John Wesley
was invited to come to this country In 1735.
He came and worked In Georgia about two
years and a half In 1765 there lived in New
York, In barrack street, not far from where
the city hall now stands, a man named Philip
Embrcy, a carpenter by trade, a man who
had heard Wesley preach in Ireland, and who
was n local Methodist preacher. Embrey.
FIRST meeting was attended by sir persons;
but this was tbs beginning of what we now
call the Old John Street Methodist Episcopal
church-the cradle OF American Methodism.
This WINS 40 years ago.
This was the beginning OF Methodism on
Manhattan Island. This gospe l was preached
on this island by a Baptist min. ster In me
ia years ago-and a number OF penons were
baptissd A church of that faith was organ
lied in liza; and at this beginning OF the
Evolutionary war there was a congregation
OF Baptists In New York numbering 200
member The Lutherans began work In
this country In 1921. Ep~iscopalians from the
settlement OF Virginia in b07-2p years ago
have been at work in this land. King
Charles II granted permission to build what
Is known as the Kings chapel, in Boston,
just across the street from the Parker house.
In ogG-i59 years ago. OF course the Con-
gregauonalists have had a foothold on Ameri-
can soil since the Pilgrims landed on Ply
mouth rock in 100000 years ago. Now
when did the Disciples begin; how long nave
they been at work.
An answer TO this question will vindicats
me from the charge Of extravagance when
affirm that the rapid growth OF this move
ment is Que OF the wonders OF the Nineteenth
century. The hrst printed document out Of
which came this movement was issued in 1909
-seventy-sevcn years ago 1t was an appeal
by Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian minis
ter, TO evangelical Christians to unite in
preaching the plain. simple gospel TO
thepeopleL The hrst periodical bears
date Aug. 3, ls23. That Il the date OF
the irss number OF The Christian Baptist,
a monthly magazine. conducted seven
years by Alexander Campbell, a son Of the
Thomas Campbell whom | have Just men
toned This publication was followed by a
periodical called The Millennial Harbnger,
which appeared month after month until
forty annual volumes have boon given TO the
world / cannot OF course, In the limits OF q
discourse, enter into historical details requir-
ing tbs compass OF volumes
seventy-scven full years have not passed
since tho hrt document was issued-not
sixty-three years have passed since the initial
number u the nrst periodical came from the
pre-s and yet there are 1891 churches. 1858
ordained Minister'S aud 557, AS membora
A religious body stronger numerically than
either the congregationalists or Eplsco-
palians Is not this one OF the marvcls OF
the agei III were TO indulge In denomina-
tlonal Boosting, under the circumstance
would you think me guilty OF an unpardon-
able sinf l think not When men ask, with
a sheer, as they do sometimes, who are the
Disciplesi What do they amount to any
wayf Ii l- no small matter TO be able
b repiy that In the number Of churches aud