The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-23
EPWORTH LEAGUE RILLr.
Interesting Gathering at Trinity Metho-
dist Church.

on Sunday afternoon Trinity Mctho-
dist church was crowded-man floor and
galleries the occasion being a rally OF
the Epworth Leagues, of Richmond ana
Manchester. The members were out Ia
good force.
Rev. f.. II. Rawlings, Of Clay-Strcet
Methodist church, was the speaker OF
the occasion and his theme was The Ep-
worth League" The address was am cX-
ccllent exposition Of the nature and de-
sign of the league organization. lie Gov
cred the ground in the premises In a lu-
cid ana comprehensive manner The clO-
quent address was very much enjoyed
and highly cOmplimented.
In opening his address Mr. Rawlings
said this subject was a broad one. lie
here reviewed the Epworth League work
in this city when ii was in its infancy.
lie said that few years back the mem
bership IA this city numbered only sixty
five. lie then mentioned the fact that
at present. in nearly all of the Methodist
churches in these two cities. the league
work has been organized ana doing a
good work, the membership being in the
neighborhood of two thousand.
The speaker dwelt at somem length on
the movement IN the Canadian and NJ. l..
churches.
The Northern Methodist church general
and has been blessed of God, ana now
numbers about $4,000. while the Cana
dian and Southern Methodists number
about 100000 each. and societies still be-
ing organized.
The Southern church, in 1890. author
lied the organization Of a society for the
young people under the control of the
Sunday-school committee. and the socle-
~ 50 organized was named the Epworth
League.
The society did not prosper so well in
this way.
In 1894. however. a new order of things
began. The general conference took mold
Of II i'm more vigorous manner.
A Board Of Control. consisting Of one
Bishop. four ministers. and eight laymen.
was appointed, and since that time the
movement has grown steadily In fact.
the league has done so well that the
number cannot be definitely stated.
1T is Methodism." said the speaker.
"and God has been with us during the
whole time"
The older members Of the church COM
plain of the old class meeting dyisg out.
and just here the league takes up the
work whore these older men lay it down
on account of age and inhrmities
I'VE are not here 10 run the church.
SNlN lNc specimen IT Is a. ~ ilNdHiuli
whore the young people can he taught To
work for the Master and learn the doc
trnos and polity OF fhe Methodist
Church. 1t Is the young people Of the
Church at work for Christ
The reports showed that the leagues are
in a good condition and several members
have been added in some instances.
Special prominence was given TO tho
junior work and the reports from The
junior superintendent showed a decided
increase.
Several applications were presented 10
the League Union for membership and
they were duly elected, and hereafter
they will be recognized rs members of
the union.
The juniors In these two cities number
between five and eight hundred members,
After singing another hymn. Rev. a.
G.. Brown. d. D., pronounced the bene-
dictiOn.
The musical programme. under the di-
rcction Of Mr.. J. l.. Mitchell. OF Fair
mount League. was especially fine.