The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1899-07-28
RAVE NEARLY TWO MILLION.
Gratifying Increase in Membership
of EpwOrth League.
SECRETARY SCHELuS REPORT.
Many Recommended ions Made for the
Good OF the Order-Growth of tho
German Branch of the Organization
Good Work Among CoIored People.

|
Indianapolis, July 25.-The board of
control of the Epworth league met at
10 o'clock this morning to hear the re-
ports and consider matters pertaining
to the league. Bishop w. X. Ninde OF
Detroit, president Of the board, pre-
sided
The report OF Rev. Edward A. Schell.
general secretary of the Epwor.h
league, was submitted. He said;
Many of the great expectations en-
tertained at the meeting Of the board
Of control two years ago have been
fully realized. We have steadily grown
until today we number fully 26,450
chapters. with a membership OF more
than 1850, 600 in our own Methodist
church alone. New chapters have been
established in Liberia, Hawaii, Alaska,
Russia, and Bishop McCabe is eagerly
watching an opportunity to plant us
in Manila. Our Japanese and Chinese
chapters have rapidly increased in
members. A German chapter in Zu-
rich, Switzerland, numbers 800 mem
bers. The banner colored chapter is at
Charleston, S. c.
Among the matters which ought to
claim your attention are:
l. An intermediate Epworth league.
2. The constitutions ought to be
amended so as to include the brother
hood idea. The constitution of either
the Epworth league or the Junior
league should also provide for the
graduation of the Juniors and not
leave this important matter as at
present.
3. Some pronouncement ought to be
made by the board of control in re-
gard to Junior league contributions by
the womans missionary societies. A
renewed interest in the Junior league
on the part of many sanity women
could be secured If their wishes, in
Part, at least, could be met.
4. The work of the Junior league is
so important that many write our Of
fee insisting that a cabinet officer
should be at the head of this depart
ment. A special Junior league secre-
tary has also been proposed.
5. The continued demand Of our mis-
sionary workers for a special depart
ment devoted to missions is again call
ed to your attention.
6. Some recommendations ought, il
seems to me, to be made to secure the
authorization of a mercy and help col
lection on the part of the Epworth
league to be applied to the hospital
and deaconess work. Collections OF
many sorts, some of them absolutely
unjustifiable, continue in spite OF the
provisions OF the general Epworth
league constitution. Some such gen.
eral permission as is suggested would
be a better preventative against ire
sponsible appeals than mere prohibit
ton of collections. e.
Z. Some special arrangements
should be made to increase the circu-
lation of the Epworth league reading
course. 1t has already been proposed
to the publishing agents that a COM
mission be fixed for those who will en-
gage personally in its sale. This has
DGeu luTOuSul lulpl dSllOdDiSs hio
plan has merits, however, which seem
to justify formal request Of this char
acter.
s. The question of celebrating the
tenth Epworth league anniversary by
adopting a new badge has been refer
red to the board of control by the cab
met for its favorable consideration.
DR.. Haven has been appointed to Sc
cure and submit designs.
9. The general cabinet has referred
to you the request of several petition
ers that the board designate an old
peoples day, when the Epworth
league members shall publicly enter-
tain the older members of the congre-
cation.
10. Your attention is also called to
the advisability of this board APPROX
ing by some special resolution the ac-
ton of the cabinet in calling upon the
chapters for an annual contribution OF
81 on anniversary day.
Rev. f. l.. Nagler of Cincinnati,
German assistant secretary of the
league, presented a report of the Ger
man branch. There are in the German
branch of the Methodist Episcopal
church up to date 610 chapters, with a
membership of 1880. The Junior
league cause is also progressing. There
are about 100 chapters and member
ship of 1900.
A report of the leagues work among
the colored people was presented by
Colored Secretary Rev. Irvine G. Penn,
Atlanta, Ga. From scarcely no organi-
cation at the beginning, there are now
quite 1000 regularly organized and |
chartered colored chapters, with q
membership of 100000
Dewey May Visit Chicago.