The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-03
EYWORTH LEAGUE ANNUAL.
German M. e. Branch Convene in St


The annual convention of the Ep-
worth League of the German Metho-
dist Church of the North German con-
ference convened at Dayton's Bluff
German church yesterday morning,
Not much time was lost during the day
as three sessions were held, q perma-
nent organization was perfected, and a
number of interesting papers read dur
ing the afternoon. The evening ses-
sion. the feature Of which was a ser
mon by DR.. Frederick NUM-, was held
in the First German Methodist Epis-
copal church, Van Slyke court and
Olive street. The convention will be
in session al day today, the concluding
exercises will be held this evening in
the First German church, at which Emil
Karpowski, Of Chicago, will deliver an
address; his subject will be "Our
Times"
The business session began yester-
day morning with over 100 delegates
from various portions Of the state in
attendance.
Rev. Edward J. Funk, of Hamline,
presided at the opening exercises, and
William Baumann, of Minneapolis, kept
the records. A permanent organiza-
ton was effected later after the COM
mittee on nominations had reported a
list Of officers for the ensuing year.
Their report was adopted, resulting
in the election Of the following as per-
manent officers
President, Prof. c. w. Hertzler, st.
Paul Park; vice presidents, the three
presiding elders of the state, Rev. E. J.
Funk, Hamline, Rev. W. F. Fritze,
OWatonna; secretary, William Bau-
mann, Minneapolis; treasurer, Miss Au-
gusta King, LIE Sueur.
The executive committee consists of
the executive officers and three presid-
ing elders, E. J. Funk, Hamline, w. F.
Fritze, Minneapolis, and A. H. Koerner,
OWatOnna.
Interspersed with the proceedings of
the day were religious exercises. Sew
eral interesting papers were read.
John, j. Funk, delegate from LIE
Sueur, who is a country editor read an
entertaining paper in which he APP
pealed for complete and compact his
tory being prepared Of the history of
German Methodism in this country and
|. Germany. He took the position that
the history of German MethOdism was
at present a mere skeleton and largely
traditional, with a few scattering
sketches. Mr.. Funk showed that the
sentiment in favor Of a history was
strong and general.
There was "a discussion by several
delegates favorable to the views eX-
pressed.
The convention voted to direct the
committee on resolutions to prepare a
memorial to the national convention OF
the German M. E. Epworth leagues
which meets in Cincinnati in July, ia
vcring the adoption Of the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Funk and recommend
ing that the suggested plan be carried
out.
DR.. Theodore Rodemeier, professor OF
thon1Ooy ND onoinr,f q ~ rJJo a CT
Paul Park college, read a paper, 'Bible
Study in the Leagues.
At the afternoon session an interest
ing paper was read by w. e. J. GratZ,
! of Minneapolis, on "Tne Practical VAL
ue of Junior Leagues" Mr.. Gratz gave
many practical suggestions as to
methods of increasing the value Of the
Junior Leagues. Confidence should be
developed between the teacher and the
| child. in order to have a moral and
/ spiritual sympathy exist. christian
+ Social Work. and How to Harmonize
! it with the Precepts Of Christianity
was the subject of an excellent paper
read by Rev. Jacob Durbahn of Red
Wing, in which Christian Sociality was
strongly advocated. Rev A. H. Koer-
ner, presiding elder of the Southern
|. Minnesota. district, spoke. interestingly
On "EpWorth: .Isea CUES as Factors :, in
Carrying on Home Missions" He
thought many young people were
brought to unite with the church by
the influence of the Epworth league,
who would not be otherwise reached.
tsHe thought it had been influential in
organizing Sunday schools and mis-
l. sion schools on the frontier, as several
have been thus organized in the North
conference. He, thought education. as
a factor should not be lost sight of.
AT the evening session DR.. Frederic
NUM-, president of the college at Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, gave an address at the
First German church, Olive street and
Van Slyke court. His subject was
| tHow the Epworth League May be
Conducted to Promote Intellectual and
Spiritual Advancement" This was an
open meeting and large number of
German leaguers took this opportunity
| to attend. DR.. NUM- dwelt at some
length on the necessity of the teachers
presenting the truth to children in a
pleasing and attractive manner. To
present ideas which would be percept-
ihle to the youthful mind and to trans
fuse all ideas with practical demonstra-
tons by the teacher. He thought too
much emphasis could not. be put on
the necessity of clothing scripture les
sons in mind pictures. The First
Church quartette contributed several
numbers to the evenings programme.