The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-26

When Or. ]. r. Berry began his address
al the First IF. r. church last night he
gazed into the faces Of an eager. expect
ant throng that f1lled the building from
gallery TO chancel rail-. Mr.. Chairman
and dear young people" he said in deep.
rich voice. full of geniality and magnet
ism This is the way / always begin.
A mans age generally depends on the age
of his heart. There are some who are old
at .. and some who are young at 81.
am glad 10 be able TO say, however, that
all ages are welcome in the Epworth
League where they can find ample OPP
portunity for Christian service. In order
To properly appreciate a great man, we
must view him from a distance. some
times for many years. The same is true
OF religious, social or political movements.
And therefore it will be necessary to view
the Epworth League through the mists of
twenty-five or fifty years before we can
fully comprehend it's real magnitude. We
are too near TO appreciate IL now We are
not quite eight years old. and yet we have
I.500, 900 members, scattered all through
the Methodist Episcopal church. The
league has extended into England. Nor
way. Denmark. India. China, Japan--it
has encircled the globe in its onward
march of victory"
briefly referring to the points of similar
tty between the Epworth League and
other young peoples organizations. he
passed TO a discussion OF the points Of
the league upon which particular emphasis
was placed by it's promoters
Denominatienal loyalty was mentioned
first: ''It makes some difference 10
person OF my temperament whether
have a creed to stand on or not, and
feel that the Methodist Episcopal church
Is the very best one FOR my spiritual de-
vslopment. Therefore I am a Methodist.
But | want che Presbyterian. and the
Baptist and the Protestant Episcopalian
to be true TO his denomination. | want
every man to be out and out whatever
he is. UNCONVENTIONAL loyalty Is the best
kind of basis for international fraternity.
| do not believe very much in union. 1t
generally means for one to come over and
join the other and that ends the union.
But ! believe in unity of spirit and unity
OF purpose. This is not bigotry. Ii is not
narrow denominationalism. but IT is he
providential plan for working out the sal
walton OF the world. | want the young
people OF the Methodist Episcopal church
to become acquainted with the history,
biogra ply, policy and world wide activi-
ties OF the church. 1t means standing by
the church and the pastor. not because we
feel like it. but because we ought 10.
We also have a positive declaration on
worldly amusements. always notice that
when | touch tins phase OF the subject
those who are a little inclined TO be
sleepy wake up. All the churches have
struggled with this problem. but the
Methodist church is the only one that has
anything in the rules on the subject We
have a little more friction along that line
because we are more definite. We say
Don't play cards. Don't dance Don't
attend theaters.' stand squarely and 10y
ally on the discipline of our church and
don't propose 10 make an apology for Il.
But II IN times past we have failed TO rec
ognize the need of recreation on the part
of the young people. that time is no more.
The Epworth League has provided sub
stitute for the popular amusements. We
don't want our boys to be monks or our
girls 70 become nuns. but we do want them
20 have good time i'm the right way and
under proper influences. The league social
and literary departments provide this re-
creation. | believe the church of Christ
should dominate the social life of COM
mUnHy and determine what classes OF
a-nusements should be popular l find
that in most places the social life is con-
trolied by one person-usually A woman
who has one or two little dudes who
dance around her for helpers. out on such
society leaders,
The church is misunderstood by many
people. because We are so far off from
them. The league. through the mercy and
help department Is correcting this mis-
conception by going out among the peo-
pie and making them feel that the church
really loves them. We know nothing about
a lower crust or even an upper crust but
We take the cake clear through There
IS only one way To- reach the masses-get
nearer 20 them. Resolutions don't save
Ges near so they viii feel the touch OF
genuine Christian sympathy. People want
30 be loved 50 everybody will know H.
Let's dis8huse then. OF the feeling that
the church does not understand them
Before the 6fhicsgo strike. as A student OF
social questions. disguised myself and
attended some Of the meetings held for
the purpose OF discussing social griev-
ances. never heard those men say one
single word against Jesus Christ hirt I
heard them denounce the churches that
had 81 sadly neglected TO exhibit His
spirit.
The league is mastering the philosophy
~ soul winning. There was tire when
men we're converted in great crowds. hut
10 secs thar the providenu3i plan now Is to
save souls one at time This means per-
sonal work on the part Of believers"
\ description 81 successful political
method was given IN which the chief ele-
rneut was personal hanf-ta-hand and
face-to-face work ora the part OF workers
% 3 certain party in winning the d0ubrfui
voters from the otheT parties. Tire syseak-
er 1pha sized the need al personal work
81 the same kind IN winning men "a Christ.
he gave = thrilling description az hiS ovr
conversion. IN which the personal work OF
two converted comrades vas a principal
feature
Preceding Jhe address there was a we'll
attended song and praise service. led bv
Rev r VI Randall IN the preliminary
exercises before n. Berry began. the ppeu-
ing prayer wss offered by Rev. p. F
Brooks and ire Scripture was rad by Dr.
" :. Harrington Two solos were ren-
dc~ea ay Ms. Eiwunds r l. Blaine
conference PRESIDENT % the F,pvyorsh
F-asgtne. rieverIv introduced Dr. Berry %
1hc congregation.
Uorkers meeting wss hela a. : G. clock
st which DR. Berry gave A general talk
o1 TIRE spiritual department and answered
"a nurn her of qaestions bearing on league
work
A previously announced Dr ps~~v
e~rBcne3 AZ tire Grace Methos4is. Frisco
gal churvb st 81 cfock 20 a CONGREGATION
tao- aUel she a-.talnE Ills therne was
-CGrlss ere Ned of EIanoa nifty Or Berry
VIII ieave sc ociock today for Snabo-
misa. where be VIII address an Epwc-rh
League mass meeting tonight
TRINITY PARISH.