Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-14
GREAT EPwoRTH LEAGUE RALLY.
4 Finc Meeting Mt Centenary. With
mn Excellent Address by DIR. starr.


nm Excellent Address by DIR. starr.
a grand rally Of the Epworth Leagues
Of Richmond and Manchester was held
at Centenary Methodist Episcopal church
last night. when handsome banner.
beautifully inscribed with the motto OF
the league-"An for Chrlst"-was pre-
scented 10 Centenary League
Every league in this city and Man
chester vas represented. and many of
Them came IN body They occupied the
auditorium. and completely filled that por-
ton Of the church. while numbers of
people assembled in the galleries
Tho meeting was presided over by Mr..
W. $. Copeland, president Of Centenary
League, and was addressed by Rev. DR..
Starr. of Petersburg. Rev Dr. j. I.
Whitley offered prayer. and Rev. DR.. w.
J, Young read from the Scriptures. Miss
Booker sang solo very sweetly, after
which Mr.. Copeland. in n few introduce
tory remarks. In which he spoke Of some
OF the lessons taught in Or Starts life,
introduced that eloquent divine, who made
= most excellent and thoughtful talk.
The address was divided into two parts.
He first pointed out the objections raised
10 the league. and then referred in glow
ing terms 10 its many advantages. IL
Is. he said, most necessary feature OF
Church work and while there may be
objections 10 il, there were also many
objections raised years ago against the
Sunday school one of the main objec-
tons he said. IS the fact that the league
is a UNCONVENTIONAL organization. That,
Dr. Starr said, Is it's chief glory. He
then paid a high tribute to the Methodist
Church. declared himself to be Metho-
dist. and added that he was always glad
10 see a man stand up and proclaim his
faith.
Dr. Starr said the Epworth League sup
piled a social feature TO the Church which
was a necessity for the young. This
feature should be cultivated in order that
IL should not become necessary for the
young people to 20 outside OF the Church
for their enjoyment. The preacher then
discussed the advantages OF the league
from an educational standpoint, and as
serted that it supplied a desirable and
useful class of literature for the young
OF the Church. which should take the
place OF the sensational novel, so hurt
full 10 their minds.
Just here he ridiculed the professional
agnostic. and said that the educational
feature Of the Epworth League made 1t
possible for every one OF its members 10
become well grounded in the laws OF the
Church, and prepared them for the refu-
tation Of any argument which might be
advanced by the agnostic. Over one mil
lion people he said, were workers in the
Epworth League. and they were doing
a great work in converting souls 10
Christ.
DR. Starr concluded with great out
burst Of eloquence on the loyalty Of the
Christian TO his cause. and. said he,
Loyalty is at last the gauge of faith
Upon the conclusion OF this address the
Coronation hymn was sung. when DR..
Sledd advanced and. in appropriate words,
presented the banner 70 the Centenary
League Mr. Copeland accepted IL in
a few ornate words. in which he referred
20 the advantages OF union over individu-
alism. He then turned the banner over
10 Mr. Robert Sledd. who had previously
been elected standard-bearer Of the league.
DR.. Sedd made motion. which was
adopted. that each league In this city
and Manchester appoint three delegates
10 a meeting 10 be held in Centenary
church on the 25th TO consider the adj
visibility Of organizing a union Of all
the leagues in the two cities.
The long-metre doxology was sung.
after which the congregation was dis
missed with the benediction by DIR. Starr.
An invitation was extended through
Mr.. Copeland TO all Of the visit
ing leaguers to partake Of refreshments.
served In the lecture-room by the ladies
OF Centenary League and all passed down
into the lower room. where a most plea
SAINT half hour was spent.