Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-11-24
METHODIST CENTENARY.
Services 20 he Hold Tomorrow and Mon
day at Newark.

day at Newark.
To the Editor Of EVENING JOURNAL.
The Methodists of the western side of
our upper Peninsula will hold their cen
tenary services Sunday and Monday ut
Newark. This proposed gathering will
awaken interest not only in the PROCESS
made in this religious movement, begun
on this ground hundred years ago. but
will very naturally turn the thought of
those who shall gather upon that occa-
sion to the beginning of this denomina-
ton. The case has been plainly put
thus: THE first seeds of Methodism in
America we're scattered by the two
Wesleys and by that prince of modern
pulpit orators George Whitefield; and the
seed sprang, up bearing in good
time no little fruit But these mon
and the boundless excitement produced
by them among the people Of the new
world passed away; their place was left
vacant; the cold and motionless ortho-
doxy Of the day chilled the enthusiasm
Of the little band Of Methodists which
had started up in different localities; and
the cause approached dissolution almost
IN the origin. The worldly spirit entailed
by the revolution and struggle continued
and increased the difficulties Of keeping
American Methodism alive till more
genial influence should dawn upon It, 1t
did survive however, and the Rev.
Thomas Coke, L. L. d., an English gen
tleman Of fortune and high literary 20
sition, was sent by MIR. Wesley to super
intend the work Of resuscitating and
spreading Methodism in the young
republic. The Rev Francis Asbury
was associated with Dr. Coke in
this great undertaking, and it was soon
discovered that tho junior superintendent
possessed not only the qualities fitting
him for his post of duty, but remark
able genius for it. He surpassed ia fact
his colleague in every department OF
their labor, but they worked together
with surprising success they travelled
and preached and gathered societies in
every quarter and section Of the country:
they made their mission felt among the
classes of our citizens. Their trumpet
notes were heard from the Atlantic sea
board, over the Blue and Allegheny
mountains, and far into the depths Of
the endless and unhroken forests of the
great interior They were listened to
with respect by leading men and with
rapt attention by the populnce in every
region.
The rapid and extensive growth made
it was almost impossible to meet the de
mands for preachers. But soon a strong
corps Of able and devoted men were
raised up which IN measure met the 70
quirements of the occasion. Free born
GarrettsoR of Hartford county, Md, was
early enlisted, being member Of one OF
the leading families Of the state and
having abundant means and withal being
Intelligent and pious, he gave himself to
tho work, ans to the end of life worked
and watched with interest the rapid and
strength Of the infant church.
William 7. Chandler, good man in the
early history of the Philadelphia Con
ference labored on the territory of the
upper peninsula az the beginning Of the
present century Solomon Sharp. Law
renee McCombs, L. Laurerceson, II. Boehm
and scores Of other men, Intelligent.
earnest and devout, whose pulpit elo
quence and power attracted thousands Of
the best people in al the region, many of
whom identified themselves with the new
movement and whose descendants are
true to the cause their ancestors espoused.
The 100 years of this church has wit |
messed wonderful changes in the social |
and civil life of this nation and with a |
flexible politity has stood ready to embrace |
svery opportunity and enter every open
ioor and as a result Of tireless effort |
sings her songs of triumph all over this |
and and is extending her lines to the |
INIT OF many nations Of tho Eastern
World.
Newark. Del, November "A, 1883.