Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-19

| ~ OF Centenary church would be convert
cd into an Epworth League has caused
much comment among the members OF
that particular society. who are most
pronounced in their objections to being
tnterfered with. A gentleman who ha-
been most active in Christian Endeavor
work, and who IL prominent In the Cen
tenary society. said TO n Dispatch NAH
yesterday that were DR.. Sledd TO press
the matter of converting their organiza,
ton into an Epworth League they shouls
decline most positively TO be converted.
THE advantages OF the Christian En-
deavor over the Epworth League he
said, ARE many. and we will remain as
we are or disband. BY his assistance Dr.
Sledd can make II very disagreeable for
us and can cause us to disband our
present organization, but while we do not
desire to place any obstacles In his way
In the performance of his duty. we do
and will decline to be made Epworth
Leaguers."
DIR. STEEL is EXPECTED.
The question OF changing the societies
into leagues was the principal topic be-
fore the Methodist ministers conference,
and there was perfect unanimity OF sem
timent that where Christian Endeavoi
societies existed they should be converted
into Epworth Leagues.
Rev DR. 4 A. Steel. general secretary
OF the Epworth League and editor or tn
Epworth-League Journal. will visit Viz
gnia during the first week In April He
will go to Norfolk and Danviile. and nm
invitation has been extended him TO visit
Richmond. He will no doubt accept.
Dir. Steel IL now one OF the most brilliant
men in the Church.
The principal objection urged by the
Church against the Endeavorers is that
they being non-denominational could not
administer the communion service. ana
that its members are therefore not in
complete accord with the Church.
DIR. Alexander q. Brown. Presiding FL
der. said yesterday that the Methodist
Church had no disposition TO antagonize
the Endeavor Society, but simply pre-
ferred TO interest its young people In Its
own organization, which Is under the di-
rection of the Church.
THE CHANGE AT ST. JAMES.
Rev. Mr.. Moore. pastor OF ST. James
church. preached Sunday morning on
"Methodlsm." and during his discourse re-
ferred to the action OF the Church i'm re-
lation to the formation Of Epworth
Leagues. The duty of organizing them.
he said. WAS incumbent on the ministers,
and he made an earnest appeal TO hi,
people 10 uphold him in obeying the law.
of the Church and intoxicating the spirit
and doctrine Of Methodism in the minds
Of his young people.
In the afternoon at o'clock a large
crowd was present TO see what would
be done towards organizing an Epworth
League. After some preliminary exer-
cises OF prayer and song. Rev Mr.. Moore
stated the objects and aims Of the Ep-
worth League; impressed upon those pres
ent his duty in the matter, and earnest
~ and firmly outlined his plan OF action.
He then proceeded to organize what he
termed n provisional league. to be fol-
lowed next Sunday. probably. by n per-
manent organization. This was done, the
pastor said. In order TO allow those who
belonged to the Christian Endeavor. but
were not connected with ST. James
church. to send their signatures If they
felt so disposed. but at the same time as
surfing them that they would find as COR
dial welcome in the League as they had
In the Endeavor.
The meeting was a harmonious one,
and Mr.. Moore is confident that his young
people will work as efficiently in the Ep>
worth League as they have heretofore
done in the Christian Endeavor