The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-29
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
Semi-Annua1 Installation Services at the
Methodist Church.

Semi-Annua1 Installation Services at the
Methodist Church.
At the regular semi-annual installa-
ton services of the Epworth league
last night at the M. E. church Mr. Sis
son read an interesting paper on local
work of the Epworth league and D. r.
McRae gave a fine statistical report of
work done. The officers are: President,
Rev. Thomas E. Blaly: first vice presi-
dent, William Rule; second vice pres-
dent D. r. McRae: third vice presi-
dent Miss IZora Templeton; fourth
vice president, Miss Annie Davidson;
secretary, H. II. Taylor: treasurer, w.
ID. Doddington: chorist Mrs. H o. Sis
son: organist, Miss Roxie' Thompson
Inc following paper was read by
Mrs. Rule:
The Epworth league was born, not
built. 1t came in response to a real
need not desire to get up something
new. For a long time Methodism had
been asking for suitable 5organiZa-
ton in which to train her Young people,
and in response to this desire young
peoples societies We're springing up
throughout the church, which We're
aiming at the Christian culture and
larger preparation for service, of the
young manhood and womanhood of the
church. BY the beginning of 1889 five
prominent Methodist young peoples So
cieties had come into beng. Each had
its own ideas. The oxford league
sought to develop the young people
symmetrically, but emphasized literary
culture. The Alliance made promi-
nent Christian experience and revival
methods. The Young Peoples Metho-
dist union aimed to train the whole
man for Christ. The Christian league
endeavored to bring about a unification
OF societies upon wise basis. The
Ohio Alliance taught loyalty to all
churchly vows. All We're good. But
none, In the judgment of many
thoughtful people, was just the thing.
Being general societies, they began to
cross each others paths. Opportunities
for rlvalries appeared. Money was
wasted in running multiplied machin-
cry.
"Trouble threatened. Pastors knew
not which way to choose. That some
step should be taken to centralize and
harmonize the work was freely ad-
mitted. But just how to bring this
about was question not so easily III
SWered. Correspondence between cen
tain of the leaders was carried on for
several weeks. Finally the Methodist
Alliance proposed a conference In due
time DR.. B. F. Dimmick. pastor of the
Central church of Cleveland, invited
representatives of the societies to meet
in that edifice. This invitation was ac-
cepted. On the morning of May IA,
1889, the leaders met. A memora Bile
meeting it proved to be. Most of these
were strangers to each other, but it
was apparent to a careful observer
that they all realized the gravity of
the mission upon which they had come.
| The Il delegates that met on that &C.
| casion We're all loyal. and true Who
| among them would have conjectured
that in single decade the organiza :
ton would grow to such stupendous
proportions, and would be incorporated
into the Methodism of the world? At
ter two days of earnest and prayerful
consideration they found a common
ground. OF course many cherished
theories had to be thrown into the cru
chile. The selection of a name was
one of the most perpleXing questions
that came before the conference. Many
names We're discussed, but none of
them seemed to exactly suit the ideas
of majority until Epworth, the word
standing for ideal home life, was
| chosen.
Rev. L. *. Warner says: THE COM
| pleted work was consecrated on the
| altar of prayer at midnight, and amid
| thanksgivingS, with deep emotion the
| EpWorth league was sent forth on its
| God-given mission as it fell from the
| hands of the organizers The Epworth
| hailed with delight. The old organiza-
| tons one after another wheeled into
| the swelling column. To-day we have
| but one society for Methodist young
| people, pressing through the open door
| of one of the greatest religious oppor-
| tunfties of the century. Our field is
| wide: geographically it extends from
| the Atlantic to the Pacific. and from
Minnesota to the gulf. And even fur
| Their, for in Canada, India and wherever
Methodism is known the leagues in
| spring motto Look up, lift up is
found. Never did a society in Method
| ism make such magnificent advance
| Never was one criticised less or vel
| coined more The EpwOrth league has
| just celebrated its 10th anniversary
Ten years ago the Epworth league had
no regularly organized chapter. To
| day 1t has almost 10000. Ten years
| ago it had a total membership of 81
| To-day it has a million and a half Ter
years ago the Junior league had scarce.
| 1y been dreamed of. To-day it is the
most promising division of the great
| Epworth army, having a membership
| of tens of thousands"
Fyes tasted free Ga csidy MoDtana