The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-18
Epworth League Day at the First
Methodist.
THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY
APOSTLE ABRAHAM CANNON SPEAKS
AT THE TABERNACLE.
Discourse BY DIR. McNiece at the
First Presbyterian-Dr. Holman
at the First CongregationaI-Th
Young Mems Christian Association


church yesterday were devoted to the
work of the Epworth League. 1t was
the seventh anniversary of the organ
izatfon, and specia and appropriate
programmes we re rendered in all the
NJ. E. churches throughout the land.
The Salt Lake Epworth fans were out in
force at DR.. Beams church in the morn
ing and listened to an excellent dis
course by the pastor on 1.-THE Ideal Ep-
WORKMAN
The evening services were largely at
tended and the special programme car
ried out as prepared by the national
organization. The exercises opened
with the singing of 1.-The Year of Jubi-
After prayer led by the pastor,
''Watchman, tell us of the night" was
sung, and this was followed by an ad-
dress by the president on The General
Progress of the EDworth League"
The president spoke of the marvellous
growth of the league since the time of
its organization in 1889. He Drefaced
his address by calling attention to the
universal desire of people to be on the
winning side. If the old maxim,
Nothing succeeds like success" be
true, the statement could safely be
made that the Epworth League is now
on the tidal wave of prosperity. The
success of the order in itself he thought
ought to be a persuasive argument for
outsiders to seek identification with
this band of young Christian workers
He then took up the growth Of the
League and gave some statistics. In
1889 it was organized by seven young
people. The following year there were
NO los ha oh rNte In
number had increased to 1902, and in
1892 the figures had increased to S,102.
The growth thereafter has been
steady and almost marvellous, in 1893
numbering 10000 chapters, in 1894 no
less than 1858, last year 14,71S and at
the present time the interna tional or
ganizatien numbers $500 within its
jurisdiction. The membership now is
about 100000.
The Junior League, an organization
closely allied to the Epworths, has a
membership of something like 100000.
The motto of the League is Look
up; lift up" Some conception of the
influence wrought by this band of
workers may be had when it is stated
that 100, 900 souls were converted during
the past year by the united efforts of
these two societies. Its work has not
been confined to home fields alone
There are chapters in nearly every civ
ilzed country on the globe. Scandi-
navta has 300, Mexico 80. Germany 500,
China and Japan sc, India $50 chapters.
In closing the president spoke of the
practically of the work engaged in,
and predicted a still greater success in
the future if measured by the past
After singing 80 Worship the King"
DR.. Beans was called upon and spoke
briefly on the mercy and help depart
ment of the leagues work.
The Importance of this part of the
work was apparent. To be merciful
and extend help to the needy are prac-
teal parts in Christianity The pres
ent was an suspicious time especially.
He took s1me practical Illustrations.
relating that only a few days ago a
man called at the parsonage and asked
for something to satisfy his hunger.
He was just out of the penitentiary and
could appeal to few and receive en-
couragement. 1t was strange how
many people in prosperity will shun
the church. but when adversely over
takes them they will turn to the church
for assistance before anything else
So then, he concluded, during the pres
ent hard time especially this work of
mercy and help" was particularly fit
ting.
The Y. NJ. G. A. rendered excellently
a selection. after which Miss Brown
spoke on the Spiritual Mission of the
Epworth League"
The speaker said an anniversary
made a vantage point for observation.
The subject might be divided off into
past, present and future. The future
could be foretold by considering the
past and present. This being so the
logical conclusion must be made that
the league is destined to greater sue
cess spiritually than it has ever ex-
perienced since it's organization. The
spiritual mission of the league was
to make Christian young men and wo-
men. Upon the young of today more
or less depends the success of the fu-
ture church; hence the paramount i'm
portance of gaining accession among
the youth. It's mission was not alone
to work among its own members but
outside more so.
The conservation service followed
Miss Browns address. and the congre-
cation kneeling repeated in unison the
Epworth league VOW and concluded
impressively by singing Breathe on
Me, Breath of God" after which the
league benediction was pronounced.