The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-30
EPWORTHIANS MEET.
Young Methodlsts Discuss Their
Work in Convention.
specia1 to the JERSEY city Neys.

growth OF young peoples work In Metnou-
ism and the widespread interest in the
Epworth League movement were mani
tested last night at the Newark Confer
ence Epworth League meeting in the
Methodist Episcopal Church of this city.
The church was we'll filled with young
people, though there was sprinkling OF
gray heads In the audience. AS the meet
ing was on the eve of the Newark annual
conference, which was begun this morn
ing, there were a number OF ministers
present, among them the venerable
Bishop Bowman, who opened the meeting
with prayer.
The Epworth League is now considered
a part of the regular work OF the confer
ence, though the General Conference has
not yet recognized it as such, because the
movement was started since the last ses-
sion. 1t is expected, however. that the
next General Conference, at its meeting
in Omaha next May. will constitute the
Epworth League part of the WORK OF
the church, just as much as the mission
ary and Sunday school and other
branches, and appoint an officer to have
a general oversight of 1t.
AT present the work devolves upon the
Rev. DR.. J. L. Hurlbut, who is the Secre-
tary of the Sunday School Union and
Tract Society of the Methodist Episcopal
IL WIS ne WuO
the Young Peoples Society of the church
into denominational organization,
which afterward took the name of the
Epworth League.
The work in the four districts of the
Newark Conference was presented last
night. Rev. j. A. Gutteridge, of Harr1-
son, Secretary of the Newark District
League, reported on the work in thar dis
trict. He spoke of the great work of the
young people in that district, and the
growing interest that Is felt there in the
Epworth movement. There are 5000
members of the League there. TWO con-
ventious have been held. the FIRST In the
Roseville Church a year ago and the sec
ond in the Morristown Church. Another
convention has been announced to meet
in Centenary Church, Newark, in few
weeks.
THE LEAGUE IN JERSEY CITY.
Rev. Edwin N. Crasto. uf Jersey City,
read a report of the condition of the Ep-
worth Leagues in the Jersey City district
That District League, he said, had held
eight conventions and had about 1900
members in the various chapters,
besides considerable number of
young people in other societies
which are soon expected to become affili-
ated with the Epworth League. The
largest chapter is IN the First Church,
Hoboken, and has IT'S members, and the
smallest is at Midvale, with seven mem
bers. Mr. Crasto spoke of the encourag-
ing attendance of young people at devo-
tional meetings. and said that 81 per
cent of the active members of the Ep-
worth Leagues in the district regularly
attended the weekly church services,
while only 40 per cent. of the church
members attended such meetings. He
said the Jersey City Epworthians pro-
DOSE to keep agitating the movement by
frequent conventions.
The Elizabeth District League was Or
ganiZed in April, $780, at Westfield, by
the Rev. W. M. Taumbower. of Somer-
vile. He reported forty chapters in the
fifty-two charges in the district. Most of
the churches whers leagues have been
organized, he said, have been benefited In
their spiritual and financial condition.
The first chapter in all the world was Or
ganized in Plainfied. and ii has 100 MEM
bers and 300 members of the junior
leagues.
WONDERFUL GROWTH.
The Rev. DIN b. Colt, of Englewood,
President of the Conference League. pre-
sided, and prefaced discussion OF the
various departments OF The work by
short address. He spoke of the tremen-
dous growth of the League since It's orr
ganization about three years ago, and
said that there are now about 300, 900
members He introduced Mrs. Olin b.
Colt who spoke on the department OF
Christian Work in the League. Mrs.
Coit iu very interesting address, said
that the methods OF work must vary ac-
cording to the character and needs or the
young people. She advised discouraging
long prayers and encouraging young
people to give their experiences up to
date She suggested presenting the Ep-
worth League pledge for signatures ana
then getting the signers to try to induce
associate members to give their hearts to
Christ. Tracts, notices of nesting in
railroad stations, cheerful and polite
ushers and praise and temperance meet
ings were suggested as useful methods OF
work.
Louis A. Burke, of the Roseville
Church, spoke OF The the department. OF
Mercy and Help. This department. has
to do with aid for the sick and the well
fare of strangers, and Mr.. Burke spoke
of various plans of work in those lines.
He, too. advocated the distribution of
tracts, especially in railroad stations and
in other public places, and said that kind
of work wonld properly come under the
care of the department under discussion.
This department ought also to look after
the members of the junior leagues, he
said. Mr.. Burke spoke of employment
bureaus as part of the work OF the de-
partment
The department of literary work was
discussed in an address by Miss ella
Larson, of Hackettstown, who said that
this department was one of the most inn
portant, as the principal idea OF the Ep-
worth League is an intelligent piety. She
thought with proper management In this
department the Epworth Leagues could
do much to counteract the influences OF
dancing parties and whist and euchre
clubs She advocated the organization OF
literary clubs for the study and discus
sion of affairs of the day.
DR.. G. Fred. Pitts, of Hoboken, dis
cussed the department of entertainment.
He said that church sociables ought to
be made attractive, and in that way
young people will be brought to the
chuIcn services. He suggested enter
tainments by members of the league. and
then exchanging entertainments with
other churches.
There are It's chapters in the confer
ence and 900 members. The officers of
the Conference League will be appointed
by the Annual Conference day or two
before adjournment.
Second brigade Reunion.
The Local Committee of the Second
New Jersey Brigade held a meeting in the