The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-28

exhibited dislike for them. For some time, in
obedience to tho rulo promulgated by the Confer
ence, the preachers generally read prayers on
the Lords Day. and in "somo cases the preach.
ers read part OF the morning service on Wedncs-
days md Fridays, but others. who had been long
accustomed to pray extomporc, were unwilling
to adopt tho new plan, being fully satisfied that
they could pray better and with moro devotion
where their eyes were shut than they could with
their eyes oron.' After n few years the prayer
book was laid aside, and never since has been
used by the Mcthod!sts in public worship.
Having followed IN some detail the growth Of
American Methodism up 10 the definite organ.
ization OF the Church, we must pass more swiftly
over the subsequent stages Of its history. The
conferences held IN 1886 showed nearly 90. 600
members and III ministers. There wcro about
80 chapcls, but often the congregations far ex-
cocded their capacity. Huge barn, wero thrown
onen for the pre- ,chers. hut even these could not
accommodate the multitudcs. il has been csti.
mated that there were at the time more than
100000 habitual attendants upon Methodist
worship. In Mccklenburg county. Va. Coke
preached to about 4 900. which he described rs
the largest congregation he had seen in Amer.
lea, though there was no town within n great
many miles" In 1897 the relations OF the
American Methodists TO John Wesley were ad.
justed In q way which, at first, was dis
pleasing TO the founder OF Methodism.
The Conference declined TO appoint as
superintendent over the Methodist societies
in Nova Scotia and the West Indies
the persons by Wesley and Coke.
The Conference affirmed that 1t had never en-
gagged to submit the nomination OF its church
officers to Wesley's Judgment. As this asser.
tion Of independence did not spring from any
disaffection toward Wesley. the Conference
caused a long and affcctionato letter to he writ.
ten requesting him to come to the United States
and TO visit his spiritual children. In the min
utes OF the Conference Of l7Ss the word super
intendont was omitted and the word Bishop
substituted. Wesley misunderstood tho purport
of tho change, but when IL was explained rs sig.
nifying only what he meant by the word super.
intendent, and that the term Bishop was adopted
to agree with the term episcopal In the title
OF the Church. he defended the change against
the criticisms OF his brother Charles and others.
During the three years ending in 1896 tho
Methodist Church suffered a loss o. nearly
eleven thousand members. owing to the seccs.
sion organized by James O'Kelly OF Virginia,
who objected to the Bishops power Of transfer
ring n preacher from one circuit to another.
The losses were ex perienced mainly In tho Mid
die States, and they were gradually compensated
by acccssions in New England. Here we should
| note that the propagation Of Methodism in New
England proyoled ,ystematic demonstration OF
hos,uI,v Maa,s,ra,.. IN Conn".,iou, -
hostihty' MaRistrates IN connecticut would
not recognize the preachers as regular minis
fora. Ono nreschcr Georoe Rober,s wa. a,od
D.. ,,ni.a 80 N.,nS w. "a' 80
lot uniting Two Methodists IN marriage, ana
various members OF the society were thrown
into prison. Nevertheless n number NJ cir.
,,,,,. 80. as"sn T.. 49," -
cui's were soon oreahized IN the Eastern
States. including one for the province OF Maine.
The total number NJ members announced NJ IN.
o.o'NN -nnno' ~, :.
seherai conference OF 'es was ol'aoi' OF whom
about one in Eve were colored. Tho number Of
travelling preachers was o72. In the wear 1900
the 'hurch was very prosperous, ana IN every
part OF the country except in Pennsylvania there
yv,. n o,in In meuhershin 7, UNA d,rin. r.
p' - ~ NN .0
oariy years OF inc present century That the
practice of holding "camp meetings" arose.
sometimes ma nanv as 90 600 vould hc nres.n,
S..|-NNN.-oI peu.
IN these assemblies presbyterian ana Methodist
ministers united In the work. The gathering
Was of,en divi,od into ,roun. wh;ch yor. od.
- "i'.NeN NV Soups "H'"
dressed oy as many speakers.
Throughout tho year 1907 general REVEALS
took nlo,e In Marr,and D.,awar. y,ra,n,o ava
80 -'' s"' ~"
georgia ana ono OF particular importance &C