Evening star., 1897-02-27
GROWTH OF "A SECT
Historical Review of the United
Brethren in Christ.
QUARTER OF A MILLION MEMBERS
Though New to Washington, 1t is
Over a Century Old.
SERMON BY REV. MIR. FOCT

Although the Church of the United
Brethren in Christ was founded over a
century ago, and has long since grown to
be an extensive religious organization, II
was only within the last decade that il
has been established in the capital of the
country. 1t was the history of this orlsani-
zation that formed the theme for a sermon
Sunday evening by Rev. Julius Z. Fout
pastor Of the Church of the United Bret H.
rem in Christ. located at the corner Of North
Capitol ard r streets.
The beautiful little chapel in which this
congregation worships was Well filled last
evening, and Mr.. Fouts scholarly sermon
proved of great interest to all those pres
ent.
History Of the Church.
"A full knowledge of our churchs his
tory" said Mr.. Fout, Its struggles growth
and successes. its principles and methods
OF work, cannot fail ID enlist the enthu-
siasm OF all the members and make them
more devoted to its Interests While we
do not represent. numerically nor financial
ly. the greatest denomination in our coun-
try, yet we do represent a church of whose
origin and history We certainly need not
feel ashamed. 1t is no: an o.fshoot rcm
any other denomination; neither is 1t the
outgrowth of any Schism respecting doc
trlne, polity or worship. 1t can be Traced
to beginning which bears all the marks
OF providential injorsenent. Roth i'm its in
ception and evolution il mad the call of God
and the shaping hand of Providence. AS i'm
the founding of many other great Christian
denominations. God raised up a great man.
a mighty leader, who gathered up in his
personality and life elements that were
suited to meet the eXig ancy of a new need
in the religious condition OF this country.
Just as Calvinism was evolution
from the mighty brain o. John Calvin, and
Lutheranism the product of the inspired
thought of Martin Luther, and Methodism
an emanation from the soul If John Wes-
ley, set on fire by the spirit of truth, SO
the very life germs of the United Brethren
Church began in the heart and brain of MIR.
Otterbein. whom God raiscd up rs a leader
to usher in a new era of evangelical life in
America. In this godly iaan were forces
and elements which gradually developed
and crystallized into separate, visible
ganiZation, whose efficiency and fruitful
ness far surpassed the fondest anticipa. ions,
of its founder.
Founder of Sect.
philip William Otterbeiu, the foun.Ier of
this church, came from Dillenb1rg, Ger
many, to America a missionary in 1.5c.
He was a young man Of excellent eGuca-
tional equipment, a fine thinker an able
preacher. and a jealous. devoted mission
ary. Bishop Asbury of the Methodist Epis-
copa1 Church, at whose ordination Mr.. OF
terbein assisted, bears this testimony to his
exalted character:
Forty years 1 have known the retiring
modesty of this man of God, lowering above
his fellows in learning, wisdom and grace,
and yet seeking to be known Cniy to Cod
and to the people of Cod
1T is vain to deny the historic fact tina:
Mr.. Otterbein, who preceded Mr.. Wesley
to America, found Christianity at very
low ebb. Great spiritual dearth prevailed
in the churches. gross immoralities were
practiced. and lifeless formality reigned
almost supreme. DIR. Nevin of the German
Reformed Church says, in describing this
condition of spiritual declension: True,
serious piety was treated with marked
Scorn. The idea of the birth was
treated as pietistic whimery. Experimental
religion in all its forms was eschewed as d
new-fanSled invention of cunning impos-
tors brought in to turn the heads of the
weak and lead captive silly women. Prayer
meetings were held to be a spiritual abom-
nation So widespread was this state of
lifeless formality that one has said of it:
"A converted minister as great a
phenomenon as comet in the heavens
Even Mr.. Otterbein, though an upright.
pure-mfnded minister. probably knew moth
ing of change of heart and the blessed
ness of the spiritual birth in the soul when
he first came to America. But during his
nrSt paStorate in the new world at Lancas-
ter, Pa, an incident occurred in his relig-
ious life that SO revolutioniZed his personal
experience and ministerial life as to make
him, under the leadings of Providence the
founder of the Church of the United Bretn-
rem in Christ.
His Real Convention,