The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-15

Ten years ago today from Methodism
there was born branch which today
is marvel among these subordinate
elements which tend TO strengthen and
upbuid the church itself The name
Of that branch is Epworth league and
its motto, faithfully adhered TO, is
Look Up and Lift Up"
Yesterday all over this broad land
wherever an Epworth league chapter
was organized, the tenth anniversary
of the birth of the league was OBJ
served In a larger or lesser degree
At the Elm Park church the obser-
vance by the Elm Park chapter was
substituted for the regular evening SER
vice. The church auditorium was well
filed and the service proved to be very
enjoyable. AS the opening selection,
Prof. j. A. Pennington played an or
gan voluntary. During the service
the Elm Park quartette sang several
anthems, Miss Margaret Jones sang a
cOntralto solo and Miss Thomas and
Mr.. Wooler sang a duet. The respon-
sive readings were led by the pastor
Rev. g. NJ. Ciiffin, y. D.
Brief addresses We're made by the
pastor and J. g. Sheppcrd. The latter 5
address in part was as follows:
SKETCH OF THE LEAGUE.
THE Epworth league dates its birth
back to May Is. 1889, and tonight We
are celebrating it's tenth anniversary.
What a phenomenal. if not marvellous,
growth it has had! Chapters have been
formed in every state and territory in
a h.. T,,;- q, ,..l,t
number host of more than 100000
young people banded together to win
the world for Christ.
1T is hard to conceive the vastness
Of our membership, but could we bring
our members into one line, with the
hand of one clasped in the hand of his
neighbor, line could be formed that
would reach iron Augusta. Me-. to San
Francisco, Cal; from the lakes on the
north to the gulf on the south-one
mighty continuous line of earnest, true
hearted Christloving young men and
women stretching across our entire
continent.
Then, after forming this line, you
would have a large enough number
standing around waiting for a place to
form a city the size of Pittsburg on the
one end and a city with the popula tion
of Washington on the other end of the
line: or if we should take Utah, the
last state to add the lustre of it's star
to the beauty of our noble flag, and
with it its sister states, Wyoming,
Idaho. North Dakota and Montana. and
to these add New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Indian territory, Arizona and Nevada,
and then for good measure include the
territory of Alaska with it's vastness,
adding our own glorious state of Penn
sylNania we would then have terri
tory whose population is equal to the
combined membership of the Epworth
league.
GEOGRApHICALD DIMENSIONS.
'In square miles this territory is
larger. emitting Russia, than all the
continent uf Europe.
"Our plan of work is to divide the
league into four departments, namely.
the Spiritual, Mercy and Help, Liter
AIRY and Social. During the past year
we have had an average attendance of
from $50 to 200 young people at every
service Of our devotional department
and each service has been one of re-
vival power; the Mercy and Help de-
partment has been enabled to send sun
shine into many a darkened home. One
hand-maiden of God in this depart
mcnt during the past year made sew
enty-three visits upon the poor unfor-
tunatc families OF our city and sun
piled a number of such families with
food, while systematic calls have been
made at the public institutions of our
city and the conversion of two prison.
ers are reported in the work of this
committee
AS Great Britain could not rule the
seas without the red of the Union Jack,
or this great republic come TO true
self-consciousness without the Red,
White and Blue so we as Epwortf
leaguers have chosen the colOrs of red
and white, voicing a great ideal Of a
call to heroic action.
LOOK Up; LIFT UP.
Wear, then. on your breasts and
your shoulders the blood red sign OF
Him who died that you might have
salvation. Wear it as n token that his
help will never fail you; wear it as a
pledge of vow which cannot be re-
called. oh, what a banner with oul
motto inscribed, Look up; lift up; the
world for Christ"
DIR. GifIin took as the theme of his
talk Look Up" In substance he urged
that all leaguers should look up and
go up, that ploddng along in the same
old rut would not do. Each should
be aggressive in the cause. Seek for
an opening or make one. Take in the
view God has given US and believe in
children.
Lift up your heads so that you can