The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-20
ANTIQUITIES OF MEFaoDIsM.
Relics Which Will be Shown at the
Ecum an cal Council.

Relics Which Will be Shown at the
Ecum en- cal Council.
Savannahlans who attend tie ecumenical
council Of the Methodist church in Wash
ington next October will see some of the
antiquities of Methodism. A department of
the council will be devoted to these relics,
one of which will bs q little piece of wood
from the Bethesda orphanege. 1t is nothing
more than a splinter, but it is connected
with the name Of George WHITFIELD name
that stands unsurpassed in the annals of
pulpit eloquence.
Bishop Asbury's old tea canister will
have prominent place. The canister is q
simple, old-fashioned concern, and would
not attract much respectful attention at
camp meeting nowadays. Yet this old
canister was the travelling companion OF
one of the purest and best men of Methodism.
What tale that old piece of tin could tell,
were 1t an animate thing! 1t could tell how
many miles it had Travelled with the bishop.
lt could tell how many cups of tea the old
clergyman used to drink at a meal; it could
tell, too, perhaps, Of the wonder
full self-denial of the venerable
man, as amid peril and deprivation he went
about laying the foundations of great reli-
glous denomination: it could tell, too. no
doubt how the good bishop would rebuke
sin and sinners without fear and trembling;
it could tell, in a few short words, many of
the noble things in the bishops life that only
travelling companion can know. Though
old, still the tea canister is well preserved,
aud would still do on pinch for bishops
travelling companion now. The canister
bears the following inscription "Asbury's
tea canister-the travelling tea canister Of
Bishop Asbury."
Bishop Asbury's pouch is relic Of inter-
est, 1t is simple piece of muslin canvas
tied up with an ordinary cotton string. It
is a forcible reminder Of the bishops sim
plicity. And then the bishops spectacles;
they lie in the glass case side against the
pouch. They are the old time ''specks."
Their frames look as solid as the PROV Of a
steamer. There is no delicate workmanship
to be seen, but simply plain idea of
strength can be gathered from them. When
Bishop Asbury died the spectacles passed
into the possession Of Bishop McKendree
Rev. DR.. G. C. NJ. Roberts razor case is
an old>timer. 1t is about the size Of a small
valise, and looks as though it would hold
half dozen razors. The case, though an
tiquated In looks and little out Of style,
has vigorous appearance, end could, no
doubt, be used by some successor OF DR..
Roberts
The old razor case OF the Rev. Jacob
Gruber is in fair state OF preservation. 1t
is a curious looking concern, and lacks the
modern ideas in style.
Bishop McKendree's clothes brush is an
oddity. 1t looks more like paint brush
than anything else. Ii is made of the ordi-
nary straw, but the top part Of it is
wrapped heavily with cord.
THERE'S an interesting group OF canes in
the antique collectio n, among which are
some which wildly recall the men of the
times Of long ago. Some Of the canes are
curiosities in shape and design, and many
Of them are but the silent witnesses
to the simplicity of the Methodist
preachers. Among them are the following:
The Sunday cane of Rev. Henry Smith. 1t
was made from timber OF the First Metho-
dist church among the Indians at San
dusky. A cane from the timber of Straw
bridge church at Pipe creek; one cut from
Mount Lebanon by a party of Baltimoreans,
among whom was Mr.. William Cortland
another from the rigging loft in New York
city, in which the Methodists first wor-
SHIPPED before the building of Wesley
chapel in John street; cane from Mount
! Olive, once used by Bishop Beverly
for sixteen years by Bishop Waugh, and
which was cut by Rev. DR.. John z. Dur
bin, and presented to the bishop. 1t later
came into the possession of Rev. Thomas
Myer, aud by him was presented to the
Mar land Historical Society. One made
from wood Of the Eutaw Street Methodist
Episcopal church original pulpit, and car
ried by Rev. DR.. G. c. NJ. Roberta; one that
was once used by Rev. Paul Hit, another
that was used by Bishop Francis Burns of
Africa; one cut from O cherry tree, under
which Strawbridge preached, and one fro n
Wesley Grove, City Road chapel, London,
England, and another from the birthplace
OF Rev. DR.. g. c. M. Roberts.
Perhaps the most touching and tender
nemento Of the past is little paper box
that contains locks of hair of Bishop
Asbury, OF the mother of Bishop Asbury,
Bishop Emory, Bishop McKendree and
Father Smith. Over four score years have
come aud gone since Asbury was ordained a
bishop, and now locks of the hair from the
! heads OF these great men are treasures, in
deed, and will doubtless attract great deal
OF attention at the ecumeuicsl council,