Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-06-13

o.. - n'here are Many di-
'dsIona Of the followers Of Wesley, but
they are essentially ono family, diff
fering indeed a little in government
but identical in doctrine and spirit and
even in methods. OF this unity tho
Epworth League is a striking iHustra-
ton. It's function and place in Meth
odst churches il similar to that of the
Christian Endaavor in Congregational
and Presbyterian churches 1t is the
young peoples society Of Methodlsm,
It's object is to promote and cultivate
the intelligence and piety Of its mem
bers, organize and employ them in
works Of mercy and charity, and in
every possible service Of usefulness in
the church and society. The league
was organized in Cleveland, Ohio, May
IL, 1890. Prior to that time there had
been a number Of young peoples So
cleties of different names in the church,
each, more or less, Independent Of the
rest, although generally having the
same objects in view. Delegates from
many of these assembled in Cleveland
to try to harmonic or consolidate them
all into one. AS might be supposed the
representatives were attached each to
his own society, and for a time it APP
peared impossible to effect union, but
at last on the day indicated it was ac-
complished and the new organization
was born and christened. This was
within the pale of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. The next general con-
ference of that church approved and
adopted the organization and gave 1t
official standing in the church, with
Bishop J. N. Fitzgerald as its presi-
dent. The local organizations in tho
individual churches are called chapters
OF these already organized and en-
rolled the number is nearly $4,000, and
the aggregate membership in this one
denomination Is about 100000 mem
bers. The league in its spirit and form
has been found so consonant with the
genius of Methodism and so well adapt
ed to the end for which it was designed
that the Methodist Episcopal church
SOUTH the Methodist church Of Canada
and the Wesleyan Methodists of Eng
land have adopted it. 1t is therefore
now not only interdenominational but
international as we'll 1t is still spread
ing and growing very rapidly, having
organizations in Mexico South Amer
lea, England, Ireland, Germany, Swe-
den, Norway and Italy; also in Japan,
China and India. The second interna-
tional conference of the members and
friends of the Epworth League will be
held in Chattanooga. The session will
begin June q, 1895, and continue four
days. 1t will embrace the leagues of all
the Methodists in the world The pro-
gram is in the hands of the general sec
retaries of the M. e. church, the M. e.
church, south, and the Canadian Meth
odlst church. namely, Rev, e. A. Schell,
D. D., Chicago; Rev. S. A. Steel, d. D.,
Nashville; and Rev. w. II. Withrow,
D. D., Canada. 1t is emphatically a
present day program, full Of the life
and spirit of these stirring times. The
general topic is "The Methodism OF
the Future" under this general head
will be discussed such topics as the
following: what to Read" How to
Read" Educational Opportunities,
Entertainments" Visiting" Church
and League Officers" "The Duty and
Privilege of Giving" "The Lost in OuI
Cities Spiritual Ministry" Chris
tian citizenship" Membership OF
Children in the Church." Junior
Leagues" "Bible Study for Children,
"Eow to Win Men to Christ" and many
others, no less practical and full of in
terest. There will also be department
conferences daily for the discussion Of
the practical work Of the league in its
several departments. Bishops Joyce
Vincent and Thoburn of the M. e
church; Galloway, Hendrix, Fitzgerald
and Hargrove of the NJ. e. church
south, and Sir Mckenzie Bowel, prem
Ter Of the Dominion Of Canada, are or
tn program. These great leaders, with
many other men Of eminence, as vel
as a large number Of the talented and
promising young workers of the va.
rious Methodisms, cannot fail to make
the discussion of the different topics Of
the highest interest and profit The
music will be a special feature of the
conference. 1t will be under the direc.
ton of Prof. Rowland d. Williams as,
sisted by the Park sisters of Boston
and chorus OF 500 voices. An i'm
mense chorus of children from the pub
lie schools of Chattanooga, will alst
participate. Sunrise prayer meetings
will be held each morning in the
churches and on Lookout mountain
Sunday morning will be devoted to ser
mons by the bishops and visiting min
listers in the churches of the city anC
suburbs. Sunday afternoon there will
be mass meetings in the largest church
es, addressed by eminent ministers anC
laymen. The regular conference meet
ings will be held in the great tent capa
BILE of seating 10000 people, where tn,
opening sermon will be preached b.
Bishop Galloway, and the closing ser
mon and conservation service by Bish
op Joyce. The local arrangements TO
this immense gathering have been en-
tirely in the hands of the young PEG