The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-05-22
ENTHUSIASTIC HOST
Opening of the New Jersey
Convention of the Ep-
worth League at
Elizabeth.
WELCOME IN BEHALF OF THE MAYOR
Encouraging Reports From All
Parts of the State-Addresses
by Prominent Workers.
WELCOME IN BEHALF OF THE MAYOR
,soecictt thc .Jersen Citu Nesrs.

ELIZABETH, May %, 1S95.-The open
Ing session of the New Jersey State Ep-
worth League was held yesterday morn
ing in st. James Methodist Church. The
church is large, and much of the usual
day gloom of large churches was taken
away by the many branches of lighted
gas Jets. On the walls were draped
numerous American flags; a large nag
was suspended over the heads of the au-
dience, and the back of the pulpit was
hung with red and white, the colors OF
the Epworth League, while a large red
and white cross, with the letters r.
L., and the motto, Look Up, Lift UP,
hung directly in front of the organ.
Palms decorated the enlarged platforms
Each chapter was entitled to two DEL
egates. and judging from the numbers
who came it was evident that the ehap-
tiers were more largely represented tnan
by their delegates. The large church
was almost uncomfortably filled at the
time for the opening exercises. The
State President, Mr.. George c. Baker.
presided. The opening exercises We're
conducted by Mr.. Henry A. Cozzens.Sec-
rotary of the Newark Y. NJ. G. A.. and
the spirited singing was led by Dr.. John
r. Sweeney.
OPENING SERMON.
The Rev. M. E. Snyder, of Morristown,
this State, preached a sermon to the
assembled delegates upon moral Hero
ISM The story upon which he based
his sermon was that of Shadrach, Mes
bach and Abednego in the Fiery Fur
mace. He spoke of their irmness IN re-
sisting temptations amid such Itrong
influences to yield to idoistrv. and their
triumph through faith in the Goo OF
Israel. Severe was the conflict, but they
endured it unfinchingiy and gained iof
themselves names immortal. One lesson
taught was that there are occasions
when a person must stand by private
conscience and conviction or right
against public opinion. What is supposed
some times as public opinion is but the
passion of a few writers and speakers.
Then again there are times when the
few are in advance in a movement for
progress and should not fear the ma
jority.
The second lesson was that worldly
policy and the religion OF the Lord
Jesus Christ do not harmonic. They are
sworn antagonists. The Christian must
not be influenced by the thought that
influences the ungodly.
The third lesson is the instance of these
young Hebrews is that God can and will
interfere in the CHRISTIANS behalf, Inc
Christian viii have opposition, but Goa
VIII be his helper. Another thought was
that the cause OF these three young men
brought glory to God and strength 10 the
faith of weak followers. So TO-DAY, II
men. stand firm to the cause OF right, glory
the end the world viii crown the individu-
al who dares to do right. The names VINO
are honored most today are. of the men
and women who have stood Tor truth, re-
liS{0p and notri0fiSm.
WELCOME TO ELIZABETH.
Addresses of welcome were made by
James Church, in behalf of Chapter
No. 2,12S, and Mr.. VIM. c.. Carlton of
the City Council in behalf of the Mayor
Mr.1 owens said that st; James was
called the Apostle of Works, in distin-
gushing him from St; Paul as not TIE
of Love. 1t was natural, therefore,, that
the delegates of this convention should
right to the title, to a workful Welcome
rather than a wordy one. He was sure
the entertainment they would receive
would vindicate the claim of St. James;
One reason in giving a welcome, he
thought, was because they were coming
to brush eff tae & d ,iifoh fr9m mi ian negF boanil
fality. He did not mean that st. James
people were not given to hospitality, for
they were. but il his memory served hin
this was the first time in a long period
that they lac the opportunity to extend
Christian hospitality to SO many strangers
They were not to entertain their trends,
but His friends; not in their name, but in
His name; not for their sake. but for His
sake.
II was good to entertain strangers be-
cause, as the Scripture says, some times
we entertain angels but it was
better to entertain friends Of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
He hoped thai the coming of so many
lively young Methodists would. be an in
SEPARATION to the Methodists of this city
and especially to st. James Church.
He concluded by welcoming all 10 the
hearts and homes of the people of st.
James.
Mr.. Carlton said
Convention-Representing His Honor, the
Mayor, on this occasion, l give a cordial
welcome to the city Of Elizabeth. We
are always glad to have Elizabeth Sc
lected by organizations for holding their
conventions. It is beneficial to our peo-