The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-02

| to Wesley. During his life as bishop
| he travelled (horse oack) 250,000 miles,
| preached $500 sermons, presided over 22s
| annual conferences and ordained over
1000 preachers.
When he held the first Methodist con-
/ ference in New England, about 100 years
| ago, there was only one conference and
1000 Methodists in all New England.
Now in the same territory there are six
conferences and some 100, 900 members in
the Methodist Episcopal churches.
Those early days were days OF strife
more union OF sentiment. Indeed a bitter
gospel is being preached than then. Then
the preaching was like this: Religion,
IL you seek il you will not find it, IL you
find il you will not know II, If you know 1t
you haven't got 1t, II get it you will never
love IL, you lose ii you never had it," Now
the better teaching (what Methodism
always has taught) Is this: Religion, IL
you seek it you will find 1t, IL you find 1t
you will know il, II you know it you nave
got 1t, If you get 1t you may lose 1t, II you
lose it you may find IL again" As Joseph
Cook has said, the doctrines of Metho-
dism can be preached anywhere.
Cut OF Chestnut Nj 4 church
Chestnut street VI. T.. Church.
This "mother church" OF Methodism in
Providence was esta blished in 1915. Rev.
Van Rensselaer, Osborn was its first pastor.
The first church building was erected and
dedicated June /, 1916, standing on the cor
ner of Aborn and Washington streets. To
indicate the change--the sdvance-since
that early period, is mentioned the fact
tnat the fret structure was erected by the
help of Medford rum, which custom
would not be tolerated today. That
building has stood until within few
weeks, and now il is no more existing.
In August, 1921, the corner stone of the
present church building, corner Chestnut
and Clifford streets, was laid January l,
1922 it was completed anC dedicated.
With scores OK superior preachers as its
pastors, and hundreds ofstroDg official men
like (or something like) Hezekiah An
thony, the Chestnut Street Church has
held it's way until now under the faithful
pastorate of Rev. w. u. Buck.
The following are the churchesswhich
have come, i'm part, from this church:
! Hope street, 1884; MathewsoE street,
! 1878; Broadway, 1859; ST. PauPs, 1856;
I Trinity, 1859; Asbury, 1868; Cranston
Z street, 1882; Harris avenue, 1888.
Truly II rs the mother of churches.
The Presiding Elders.
You might call them diocesan bishops;
/ virtually they arc such. They have over
! sight of sixty and seventy churches,
| sometimes more, travelling constant
ly, preaching, holding quarterly confer
]
important one IN the cabinet. The latter
place IS the one from which come the APP
/ polntments land often disappointments).
! They, from their knowledge OF places and
the men, nominate minister for
charge -sld che Bishop endorses and
| appoints. This year they have their
| hands full aud are perplexed
! CD because there will be more men than
places, certainly go 10 the threl churches
| in Norwich unite in one as il positively
| announced; 90 because there ore more
good men than good appointments. The
| good men must be willing TO 20 To poor
| places and make them better.
! The presiding elder OF Providence dis
/ trict, Rev. >. q. Benton, has one more year
TO serve, six years being he length OF the
| full term OF presiding elder. lilo is pop
ular and ali are glad.
Rev. Eben Tlrrell. presiding elder OF
| Norwich district, Will return To the pas
] torate. lie has always had the confidence
! OF both laymen and ministers In his abil-
= ity and fidelity. lie leaves the district
/ work in excellent condition for his sue.
Z cessor. The feeling among the churches
/ and pastors ~ very harmonious and fra
J terual, and all will part from him with re.
/ gret. His term is filed out lie has made
7 a grand record as presiding elder.
Rov. W. Eta, presiding elder az the
! New Bedford district, also retires by ex-
pirntion OF term. lie has done a pro-
I digious amount OF work and zealously
/ l1borcd foi God aud the Church.
Conference Exercises.
They will begin tonight at 1880 in
snsssaut sIrsss Sa9rs.i ane w W.