The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-09-09
METHrsDISM'S GROWTH.



Conference. branch Of great ercie-
ssastical BODY. in Seattle, naturally
Leafs the minds of al who are inter
estesa in religious work n this tern
tory. hack over the few years during
whieh NesEodisn has bad represen-
tati~es here As one looks over this
s..ay OF consecrafed men and listens
20 Their reports and studies their plans
one cannot doubt their devotion and
earnesfness. But comparatively few
wears ago. men from the Oregon mis-
sion acre sent to this almost unknown
land to make beginning in Metho-
asstic work. Theirs was truly pioneer
work. Churches there we're none.
members we're not 10 be found but de-
vofion, conservation and faith were
their stock IN trade As If By magic
churches were erected. When minis
tiers we're found ready 20 take of coat
and work b. the day on these build
ings without pay, men were found
really 10 help them
-Four years ago the work had as
suned saeh proportions that it was
found necessary 70 organize the Puget
Sound Conference ard separate il from
the Oregon Conference.
The first session was held in the oliM.
z. church of this city aad was presided
over BIZ Bishop c. II. Fowler. Atthat
time there was bat one district em-
hraciRg Western Washington and
presided over by Elder Lesound.
To-day there are two. and these have
assumed such proportions that the
organization Of a third Is seriously
contemplated. -Four years ago there
we're n pastors in this conference and
membership of l30i. To-day there
are ~ charges and a membership OF
2799. The coming minutes Will show
an addition OF four or five more
charges and corresponding increase
OF pastors.
Four years ago the entire amount
paid for pastoral support was Sio. ~. %.
During the year just closed sl9,f37
was paid for this purpose. At the
| time of the organization of this con-
| ference the total value OF church prop
erty was SIS -. The minutes OF the
Fifth session viii show that within the
same territory Methodism holds
church property TO the value of SIss,-
525. II Is no diScredit 10 the pioneer
workers 20 say that the men OF to-day
are as conSecrated, as willing 10 do
their part in this great work Of ad-
yancement a. were those of old
Looking at the above figures we
might expeet corresponding increase
In ghe contributions Of the people and
the various benevolent enterprises OF
the church, but one is not prepared
for che enormous increase shown in
this Line. foi;r years ago the entire
amount 50 given was only 1858 20. Yet.
this was noble gift for the then neat
church. Daring the past year S3i9l
has been given BY the Methodists EN-
braced in this conference for the same
Honor 10 whom honor is due. No
doubt re- men who from year to year
.,-,.sa si s'.-i.. sanses 70 ths nsonla la
serve great credit for this increase.
But Methoiism here has assumed
such proportions that anything short
of this would be q discredit 20 her
membership. Methodist churches are
10 be found in almost every town of
any size in Washington territory.
Scarcely community where a Metho-
dist class Is not organized and where
preaching Is not regularly conducted
To-day nearly dozen churches are
IN process OF erection. and within the
next six months as many more will be
begun
TO sum all up ;his denomination
represented so short time. now has
more churches. more pastors, a larger
membership, pays more for pas
toral support, contributes more
Tor benevolent objects than any
other denomination in our
midst; she Joins hands with the rep
resentatiyes of the other denomina-
tons, and together they work, not
for different objects but for the same
purpose, in the same spirit. striving
only 10 benefit humanity in the lifting
them up from sin and bringing them
into a higher life where the HOLY
Spirit viii lead them into perfect bliss.
She uaiies with the Baptists in plan
ing fer "A higher education Of our
young, and every day finds her taking
an advance step in thi, direction.
Making, a. we think mistakes some
times. she still pushes the hattie. recti-
fyiug the wrongs, healing the wounds.
uniting the di-afiectcd; her strength
Is cxerted as a unit and in this lies the
great secret OF her success. Her adj |
ministFative policy is peculiarly her
own. and Bishop Nind.. in his address
TO the conference Friday, stated the
strength OF Methodism He said that
after grace her great success might |
be attributed to her love for and strict
obesiienee h law. Her machinery IS |
intricate yet 80 put together that She
moves forward smoothly and with
mighty power" NJ