The Washington times., 1895-06-19

The first annual conference OF tie Ep-
worth League OF the Washington District
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was
In session yesterday at Epworth Church.
| The day was spent in discussing plans and
| projects for increasing the usefulness of
| the order, and many interesting and in
structive papers were read before the
assembled delegates.
The Epworth League was established in
| the Southern Methodist Church by the
| general conference OF 1890, and its gro with
] since that time has been phenomenal
| When DR.. S. a. Steel, the present general
secretary, was appointed a year or so
| ago there Were less than so 900 Leaguers in
the Southern Methodist Church; to-day
they muster over 200 900, and the branches
| are increasing at the rate of twenty every
week
1T STANDS ALONE.
The Baltimore Conference has IA Leagues
and 3,12S members, of Which 8 societies
have each a membership OF 427 Up to
the time of the last meeting OF the Wash
inSton District Conference the Southern
church Leaguers had affiliated with
the Methodist Episcopal societies, hut the
conference, deeming their own Leagues
grown sufficiently strong TO stand alone
appointed district president, who was
Instructed to organize a District Conference
of Epworth Leagucrs.
The Rev. j. W. Grubb, the incumbent of
the presidency, has faithfully carried out
his orders, and the body which he set out
TO organize convened yesterday morning
The opening devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. j. T. williams of
Alexandria, after which Mr.. F. E Wood
ward made few appropriate remarks
OF welcome. The response was made by
Rev. ]. W. Gmbb.
The committee on credentials was ap-
pointed consisting OF Rev. n. f. Gala
her, Rev. II. l. Stephens, Mrs. Kent, Mrs.
ii. NJ. Stickler, Mr.. G. A. Wood and Miss
Hattie Williams. The appointment or
the committees on constitution, bylaws
and nomination OF officers was postponed
until to-day
Reports OF the progress being made
along the league lines OF work were pre-
sented by Rev. II. l. Stephens, OF Mid
dlcburg. Va; Rev. Il NJ StrickIer. OF
Marshall, and Mr.. F. G.. Woodward, OF
Washington. An Interesting little speech
"as made by Master Frank b. Woodward,
in which he described the Junior League
o: Epwouh Church, the Only junior body
in the Southern Methodist churches OF
Washington
READING OF PAPERS
A paper upon The league as a training
school" was read by Rev H / Stephens,
Of MddlebYrg, and one ON Possibilities
OF the EpwGrth League" by Mr. Z
Woodward. The most enjoyable feature
Of the morning session was an admirable
cXtempoTaucOus aCitiTess by Rev. Augustus
DavISson. He made manifest to bis hear
eTS the great coed which cottage PRAYER
meetings have accomplished and cited
Instances where men, afterwaTd means
OF advancing the worlds standard OF
spirituality, have been led TO their Saviour
at these primitive Methodist institutions.
what to read and how to read profirably"
was discussed by Mr.. C. W. Aeliu, of
Alexandria, Va.
AT l O'Clock the convention adjourned
to pariaka of lunch which had been pro-
yIdhd for them at the houses of the Epworth
members, and at three the business was
resumed. Rev / w. Cantor, of Mt. Vernon
Place Church, gave an interesting talk on
How TO study the Bible
The delegates We're treated TO a most
delightful entertainment during the after
noon. Miss Lizzie Hummer brought num-
Der OF the JUNIOR LeagureS of Epworth and
IN the presence of the conference went
through all of the usual practices. games
and ceremonies of a regular junior meet
ing. Tho doctrines of Aiethodism were eX-
piaiHad by Rev John T Williams
SfyerIl committee reports were read
after which Mr. c. A Wood spoke on
The Duty of Giving" An address en-
titled Among the Children" was delivered
by Miss Anna Walker, of Washington