The times., 1899-05-22
CLOSING EXERCISES
At WESLEY CHAPEL
A Memorable Event in the
History of the Church.
Sermon by the Rev. DR.. Upham, Of
Druid Theological Seminary.
The Services Presided Over by Mr.
The Services Presided Over by Mr.
Justice Brewer-A Large Audi
ence Present.


E. Church during last week will ever re-
main memorable in the history of the con-
gregation of that religious edifice. The
exercises, which were commemorative of
the SEVENTEEN anniversary of the found
ing of the chapel in May, 1929. were be-
gun last Sunday, and closed last evening.
During the week the services were
nightly attended by congregations which
tested the seating capacity of the audi
torium and galleries of the church to their
utmost. Nearly all the pastors of the local
Methodist congregations, and also of other
denominations, prominent citizens. and
distinguished disciples of ETesley from
sion memorable.
Among those who took prominent parts
in the anniversary exercises were the Rev.
]. NJ. Bulkley, editor of the Christian Ad-
vocate," who preached the Introductory
sermon and also delivered an address on
the subject of -Denominationalism versus
Bigotry;" Postmaster General Charles
Emory Smith, Rev. Lucian Clark, Mrs.
William Burris, Rev. Byron Sunderland,
Rev. B. l.. whitman, President of the CO.
lumbian University; Rev. L. b. Wilson.
Presiding Elder OF the Washington dis
trict OF the Baltimore NJ. E. Conference.
and Mr.. Justice Brewer. of the Supreme
Court of the United States. who acted as
presiding officer at the different meetings;
Rev. J. Fred Heisse, pastor of Wesley
Chapel; Rev. S. II. Greene, Rev. J. J.
Muir, Rabbi Stern, Rev. George E. Reed.
and the Rev. S. S. Upham, OF Druid Theo-
logical Seminary.
Several of tho cnnyrepatinns of the city
churches contributed to the pleasure and
interest of the occasion by rendering the
services of their choirs on evenings during
the week. Among the congregations which
aided in this way to make the anniversary
exercises a success were those OF Foundry
Church Calvary Baptist Church, Metro
politan NJ. E. Church, and New York Ave
nue. Presbyterian Church.
The services yesterday morning were
conducted by the Rev. DR.. Upham, who
also preached the sermon. In the evening
the exercises were presided over by Mr..
Justice Brewer and an address was de-
liyered by Dr. Upham. who discussed THE
Debt We Owe TO Our Methodist Fathers. y
The speaker was introduced by Mr.. JUS
tice Brewer, who referred to DR.. Upham as
one of the foremost Methodists OF the age.
The justice had been a schoolmate of DR..
Upham at Wesleyan College, and in speak
ing vi lIdl lU6lllullOu 5dtu utpcu IL
would never pass away. He hoped, too, he
said. that such would be the fate of Wes-
ley Chapel il was part of the church oil
the living God on earth and coming gen.
erations, he said, would worship there
with the same songs of praise and in the
same faith as did their forefathers.
In discussing his subject, the Rev. DR..
Upham said there is a divine society
which we call Church-it is not a thing OF
today or tomorrow, but will continue for
ever. 1t is true, he said, that We are not
all of one mind, for we have been ere
ated with unequal minds, but we are OF
one heart, one, soul, one faith, one
Saviodr-Jesus Christ.
The Church, he siad. is divided into
many sects and denominations, and be-
cause OF the strong opposite opinions held
he does not believe that they will ever
come together and worship under one
head and one form of government.
The reverend speaker then reviewed the
life work of John Wesley and many OF
his followers, both in this country and in
Europe. noting instances of how they
nodded history for the world. He also re-
| ferred to the fact that in this country
| the Methodists are numerically stronger
than any other Protestant denomination
\ noted English historian, he said. has
| stated that the Wesleyans in themselves
are but small part of the Methodist
| movement.
In concluding. DR.. Upham said Method.
| ism holds to the great creed Of the an
cient Church; it has not much to say about
apostolic succession, but goes right on with
apostolic success.
At the morning services, the Rev D.
! Upham took his text from the gospel ac.
! cording 10 st. John, and discoursed upoI
| scenes from the last few days of the lf:
of Christ The minister spoke of the resur.
rection of Christ and the life which he LEAD
during the forty days previous to his as.
cension. During that time said Dr. Up-
ham. 'he lived under circumstances en-.
tirely different from those preceding hi.
crucifxion. He spent but little time witt
his disciples, did not go from place Il
place, appearing to the people and perform
| ing miracles. and kept apart from hi:
enemies" This part OF Christs life tn,
minister thought was the most mysterious
yet the most attractive of his existenc,
| upon earth. Il have often asked myself.
said DR.. Upham, why did Christ tarr,
here for forty days. The work which h,
was sent on earth 10 perform had been ac
compiished. and he was entitled to tn.
| reward which awaited him in heaYen Th,
general answer. is that he remained TO sat
isfy his disciples OF his divinity, but
| lDluk tidl ut SAdgtu 10 hEON his IOilOWer
that, although he had passed beyond tn
grave and had become acquainted with tn
mysteries of DEATH his heart was still tn
same"
why did he not appear before his en-
mies?' / answer with another question
Why should he?' lie had nothing to gai
by so doing. His task upon earth wa
completed. On the other hand had he ap
peared before his prosecutors. they woul
have raised the claim that he had not died
but had simply sustained z period of in
animation. There were numerous case
which they could cite to substantiate thei
claim. 1t was, on the whole better tha
Christ pursued the course which he did.
In speaking of the incomplete account c
the narrative of the ascension, Dr. UphaI
stated that he did know whether the glor
of God was revealed by the things whic
he demonstrates or by the phenomen
which he keeps concealed.
1.-The Holy Ghost, said the ministe
lis with us at the present time" He cor
sidered the Holy Ghost to be a part {
the Trinity. one OF the forces or person
aiities which go 10 make up the God OF th
Christian Church He did not. kno
whether the Holy Ghost is a person or no
but was sure that the spirit is capable {
making its presence felt. THE scope
our language" continued DR.. Uphan
does not permit of our expressing th
idea of the Trinity in plain or appropriat