The Portland daily press., 1896-05-18
AT CHESTNUT STREET CHURCH.
The Anniversary of the Organization
of the Epworth League

|
Large Attendance.
Last evening there was very large at
tendance at the Chestnut Street church
the occasion being the anniversary of the
organization tof the Epworth League.
President John Loyeitt presided. The
following was the programme:
Praise Service,
| Scripture, Rev. I. Luce
Reading,
Prayer, Rev. c.. W. Parsons
Music, Quartette (mixed)
Address, President
Paper-The History of the League,
Miss Nina N. Files
Vocal Solo, Miss Maud Stetson
Address, Rev. |. Lucs
LIST vice Mr.. Frank Strout. State League
Selection. Lincoln Male Quartette
Address, Mr.. r. s. Everett
| Vocal Solo, Mr.. James Strout
Paper-The Epworth Wheel, ~
Miss Alice NJ. Lord
Address, Rev. G. W Parsons. D. d.
| Collection.
League Rallying Song.
The emblem Of the league the cross
with the motto ''Look Up,'', Lift Up, f"
| was directly in front of the pulpit.
Miss Files gave very interesting
history of the League from the time it
| took the place of the Oxford League.
There are now 1854 chapters and a
membership Of 1,50o 900. She spoke of
the organization of George Washington
italian Epwortb League Chapter, Boston,
and Of the work in Mexico, China and
Japan. She said that the idea of a
federation of all the young people g
societies is gaining ground.
Rev. I. Luce spoke of the power of the
league. Only seven years organized,
its progress has been something wonder
full. If the members Of the league could
only be fully consecrated to the work
there would be real Pentecostal season
and this country would be won for
Christ.
Mr.. E. NJ. Strout first vice president Of
the State Epworth League said:
l have been asked to furnish q short
history of the State Epworth League with
it's objects and the results of its work.
Having been connected with it only this
year | hardly feel competent to give a
very extended history but am glad to tell
what know of its work at present.
In the autumn of 1858 some of the
prominent league workers of the state,
including RevE. Q. Thayer, president Of
the Maine Conference League, Rev. II e.
Foss, president of the East Maine Confer
of Pine Street, this city, desiring to
bring the work through the state into
closer connection called Il state conyen-
ton at Auburn, Me-, which was quite
we'll attended and though unorganized
held a two days session which was very
profitable to those in attendance.
State officers were elected. Rev. Mr..
Thayer being the first president and
during the winter of 1913 and '94 some
secretary in corresponding with the
chapters throughout the staJe.
In 1894 convention was held in Ban
gor which was so successful that it was
decided to continue the organization
during the year which closed with the
convention last summer at Wcstbrook
the work steadily grew in Importance
and results. The convention at Wesbrook
was the best of the series and those who
we're privileged to attend received many
helpful suggestions which have borne
good fruit in the league work the past
winter.
The cabinet elected at that convention
resolved TO extend the work and early in
the fall held meeting in this city to
formulate plans and prepare a pro-
gramme for the convention this summer.
Six IF the eight members of the cabinet
were present, some of them coming more
than hundred miles and one coming
from Massachusetts.
The plan of the work agreed upon has
been carried out successfully and as q re-
suit of each of the 165 chapters though
out the state has received personal let
ter from each member of the cabinet in
relation to the special work Of the depart
ment belonging to that member. These
letters contained words Of encouragement
and cheer and helpful suggestions along
the several lines of work.
This has we believe resulted in much
good as the replies to many of the letters
show that officers have been quickened
to duty and the questions that have come
to members of the cabinet from chapters
all over the state show that the workers
are anxious for suggestions which will
make their work more effective.
AS an illustl alton of this in my own
department received letter from the
secretary of q chapter down in the state
stating that previous to receiving my
letter no plans for revival work had been
made in their church but that 1t had
stirred them up and that they were then
enjoying gracious revival as the result
of their efforts.
This was probably duplicated in many
instances as 1 received about Is letters
mostly from the smaller leagues report
ing their work and many OF them asking
sugge stions adapted TO their particular
circumstances.
Some Of the statements made in these
letters prove that numbers are not ossep-
tial to make a successful league. Many
of the best reports along spiritual lines
came from chapters having from % to 30
mem bers and sumo even less, and even
these scattered over the hills and farms
of country parish. Had I time I could
give many instances of glorious results
coming from the work OF few conse-
Grated young Epworthians with hearts
aglow with the love of Christ and the
church. The interest shown by the state
cabinet towards the smaller chapters has
surprised some of them, one secretary
writing me that my letter, was the first
one their chapter had ever received from
an outside source that did not ask for
money.
OF course many of the chapters did not
respond to our inquiries regarding their
special methods Of work, possibly because
they had no methods, but SO far as we
could we have endeayored to pass along