The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-07
The MethOdists.

Next to the Roman Catholics. the most
numerous body Of Christian believers in
tho United States are the Methodists. with
the Baptsts closely following. In these
three Churches alone are gathered about
three-quarters Of tho entire number Of pro-
Tossing Christians. or. IN round numbers,
about 100000 out OF 100000 in tho
whole population. according to the enumera-
ton OF the last census. They are also the
Churches which are advancing the most
rapidly though all OF them adhere strictly
to their standards Of fuith. and make no
concessions to the present pantheistic and
agnostic tendencies.
Tho episcopal address to the Methodist
Conference now In session at Omaha, re-
ports that since the last meeting OF the
body. or In four years. nearly 100000 per-
sons have been added to the denomination,
nulhbcr not much less than the whole
number Of communicates OF the Episcopal
Church, and equal to about one-third Of the
total Presbyterian communion. Yet the
branch OF the Methodsts represented at
Omaha comprises only about onc-half OF
the Methodist family Northern and South
ern, white and black. During the same
short period the value of the Church
property has increased by nearly one-ffth,
UNCONVENTIONAL purposes by one-third.
Following the example OF the Roman
Catholics. the Methodists have obtained a
charter. appointed Board Of Trustees. and
purchased q site for tho establishment OF Q
great university at Washington. Az be-
ginning. s5.0OOO 600 will DO required for such
an institution. and the Bishops regard
elO.OOO.OOO as necessary for Its full equip
ment. but they are confident that tho
money will DO raised. 1t Is true that
the great body Of tho. Methodists
arc poor In this worlds goods. but OF re-
cent years many largo fortunes have been
accumulated. and tho Church will have to
rely chiefly on gifts from these to obtain so
vast q sum. Yet the Bishops arc fearful
about tho concentration OF wealth In tho
hands Of the few. Tho sympathy OF tho
Church. they say. must DO with tho toiling
millions, and they arc not unmindful OF
WHsLEY's warning as to tho danger to
Methodlsm OF the accumulation Of material
riches. 1T Is On extremely difficult thing"
thoy declare. "for a rich man to be n real
Christian" for such u man "is especially
subject to foolish and hurtful lusts. which
drown men In destruction and pcrdltion."
He must bear In mind the needles eye.
For that reason. probably. tho Method
lists arc tirecss In importuning their
rich men for gifts to the Church.
They want to save them from the
peril OF everlasting destruction. 1t Is re-
ported that among tho Baptlsts also like
solicltudo prevails. and that it Is especially
active concerning the fate of the soul OF MIR.
JOHN ID. ROCKEFELLER. Muniiicent as arc
his gifts to his denomination. he has to fly
occasionally to escape from its urgency. Tho
Methodist Bishops. moreover. grid at this
muniilccnt Standard Oil magnate by declar-
Ing that 1.-The grinding and soulless organs
OF monopolies are not only producing dan
gorous discomfort. but arousing tendencies
which. II not arrested. bode riot and reyolu-
ton" Yet they say that the Church has no
hopc In tho mob and cannot set itsolr In in
discriminate denunelaion against wealth."