Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-22
THE EPwORTH LEAGUE.
Convention of the Fourth Conference to
Be Held Here.


OVER TWO HUNDRED DELEGATES EXPECTED TO
ASSEMBLE IN THE METROPOLITAN CHURCH OK
wKDSEsDAY-THE LEAGUE IDEA-How IT
ORIGINATED AND ITS DEVELOPMENT.
A meeting Of the executive committee Of the
District Epworth League, which has charge Of
the arrangements being made for the conven-
ton of the fourth general conference, District
League, to be held Wednesday in the Metropoli-
tan Church. corner Of AZ and streets north
west, was held in McKendree Church to COM
plete the arrangements for the convention.
The indications point to largely attended
and interesting convention. Already upward
Of 200 delegates have been heard from indicat-
ing their purpose to be present. and naming
the time when they expect to arrive. and it is
expected that many Of them will bring friends
with them.
THE LEAGUE IDEA.
The league idea has gained substantial foot
hold and Is received with enthusiasm in Metho-
dist circles everywhere.
II is represented in practically all the churches
In Washington, and the membership in most of
the local societies Is increasing.
The local societies are known as chapters. for
which the following constitution is recon-
mended:
Name: This organization shall be known as
the Epworth League Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church OF -, and shall be subordinate to the
quarterly conference Of said church. and a
chapter Of the Epworth League of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church.
Object: The object of the league is to pro-
mote intelligent and loyal piety in the young
in the attainment of purity of heart and in con-
slant growth in grace, and to train them in
works OF mercy and help.
Membership: Members shall be constituted
by election Of the chapter on nominations by
the president, after approval by the cabinet.
The pastor shall be ex-oficio q member Of the
chapter and Of the cabinet.
THE ACTIVE MEMBERS PLEDGE.
Whenever a chapter SO decides there shall be
two classes Of members, active and associate;
active members shall, in addition to election as
provided for, subscribe to the following pledge:
az will earnestly seek for myself and do what
/ can to help others attain the highest New
Testament standard Of experience and life. 1
will abstain from all those forms Of worldly
amusement forbidden by the discipline of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and will attend,
so far as possible, the religious meetings of the
chapter and the church and take some active
part in them"
In such cases active members only shall be
eligible to election officers of the chapter
Associate members shall be entitled to all other
privileges of membership.
Departments: The work Of the league shall
be carried out through six departments, as fol-
lows: l. Department Of spiritual work. 2. De-
partment of mercy and help. 8. Department
Of literary work. 4. Department Of social
Department Of finance. The distribution of
work under each department snail be as fol-
lows:
DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL WORK.
This department shall arrange for the regular
prayer meetings Of the chapter. 1t may also
plan special revival meetings and neighborhood
outdoor and cottage services and the like. 1t
shall look after the spiritual welfare of the
members Of the chapter. inviting those who are
interested to Join the classes Of the church. 1t
may conduct children's prayer meetings or de-
votional meetings for special classes OF persons,
as sailors. railroad men. &c. 1t shall help the
superintendent in building up and strengthen
ing the Sunday school 1t shall also endeavor
to interest the young people in the missionary
enterprises of the church. To it shall be COM
mitted all the evangelistic and devotional ac-
tivities Of the chapter. Where the work of the
league is so divided that the different depart
ments Intervene their efforts the department
of Christian work shall arrange for the devo-
tional work in sociables, lectures and all such
meetings.
DEPARTMENT OF MERCY AND HELP.
This department shall arrange for the sys-
tematic visitation of the members Of the chap
ter, the sick Of the neighborhood. the aged and
new corners to the community. 1t shall in
terest the league in the charities of the place
and plan to give aid when needed. 1t shall
have charge Of temperance, social purity work,
tract distribution and the like. The junior
league shall be under its care when not or
ganized separately. All sorts Of home mission
work when undertaken by the chapter such as
visiting hospitals, nursing. distribution Of
flowers. starting industrial schools, running
employment bureaus, coffee houses, day nur-
series, &C., shall be under its care.
DEPARTMENT OF LITERARY WORK
1t shall be the aim Of this department to
encourage the study of the Scriptures, to in
struct the membership Of the chapter in the
doctrines, policy, history and present activities
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the
other denominations of the church universal.
and to give stimulus and direction to general
Christian culture. 1t shall have charge Of all
the courses of reading and study pursued by
the chapter. 1t may open. wherever practicable.
libraries, reading rooms. art rooms. night
schools and the like. 1t shal arrange for
literary gatherings, when members of the
talks and debates. 1t shall endeavor to extend
the circulation Of the books and papers Of the
church, and do what it can to quicken the in
tellectual life Of its members and the COM
munity.
Department of social work-This department
shall be on the outlook for new members and
be ready to receive them and introduce them
at all meetings Of the chapter. 1t shall have
the charge Of the social part Of all gatherings
The music of the chapter and its entertain
ments, other than the literary programs. Shall
be under its care. 1t NAV provide flowers for
the pulpit, ushers when needed and attend to
procuring badges, emblems, banners and deco
rations and be the custodian Of all such effects
belonging to tho chapter. Picnics, excursions
and the like shall be under its care.