The Indianapolis journal., 1899-07-23
METHODISM DISCUSSED.
Speakers I'm Tomlinson Hall Talk on
Various Themes.


er was Rev. H. G. Henderson, of Parkers-
burg, w. Va His subject was "Evangelis-
tic Genius and Power" and he said in part:
"Methodism accepts the evangelical inter-
probation of the gospel and falls in line
with its aggressive sweep and acumenlcal
nature. The world is my carriage is her
motto. She has so articulated her pollty IN
keeping with this itinerant spirit that sne
must go in order to stay. Go afoot, on horse
hack, in buggy, by rail, by boat, by bicycle
any way, so as to go the farthest and
get there first With slight variation we
ma apply the nursery rhyme TO the uoiquit-
Gus itinerants:
"'Hark, bark, the dogs do bark,
The Methodists have come TO town;
Some in gigs and others in rigs,
But none on bed of down.
Like apocalyptic angels, flying through
the heavens, with the everlasting gospel
to preach, her flaming heralds go wherever
the Macedonian cry is heard. Without cres-
cent or crozier her faithful hosts advance
to the martial music Of militant church TO
plant the standard of the cross in the
bosom OF every vale and and on on the & brow OF
centuated spirituality as a true note OF the
church. Other churches stress apostolic sue
cession. baptismal regeneration, close COM
national shiboleths. and upon these ec-
clesiastical passports ring the changes and
rally their strength, but Methodism en-
phasizes the experience of conversion, and
around this fundamental doctrine mar
| shals her forces Other churches may boast
| elaborate ritual, may parade more artistic
| music, but when ii comes TO 'old-time re-
| ligion' the followers of the man who felt
| his heart strangely warmed yield the palm
| to none.
JEWELS OF METHODIsM.
Like the Roman matron Cornelia point
| ing with pride to her children. the Gracchi.
| saying, These are my jewels so Method
| ism prizes her sons and daughters, born
| within her walls, more than any other dis
| tinction. With her the grandeur Of struc-
| ture, pomp of service. dim lights. soft
| chants and other esthetical concomitants
must not usurp the legitimate function of
| church worship. the fostering nurture Of
| her children. Methodist fervor is not mere
| animal excitement nor emotional sentiment
/! tality, but the outgrowth of natural causes.
| first of which Is her evangelical doctrines.
| gain from educating their children in doc
| trinal lines. Methodist doctrines are in such
| striking accord with the evident meaning
| loyalty of every intelligent Methodist.
"Methodism boasts not the prestige Of an
ministers nor millionaires, but she does hold
| she possesses system OF doctrines that
| by its breadth and sweetness captivates
| holds that the preaching of her evangelical
| doctrines has largely influenced other
Protestant churches, causing them to mod
| symbols not in unison with an evangelical
+! statement of the gospel. Methodist fervor
does not spend itself in idle vaporings nor
| in fruitless rhapsodies, but multiplies it,
self in substantial evidences Of intelligent en-
| thusiasm: Methodism has ever been the
patron OF education and II is eminently fit
| ting that she should signalize her triumphs
| by crowning the passing of the grandest
century of the milenniums with gift of gold
| for Christian education. MethodiSm has al
| ways been foremost in missionary work.
| So, now, it behooves her-in view of the
new door providentially thrown open TO
| take her place in the van Of progress and
| help in placing the Pearl OF the Antilles
| as a jewel in the crown of the Master and
| assist in laying the far off Philippines be-
| fore the dawn of the new century blends
| it's auroral light with the glories OF the ef-
| fuigent day as an offering on the altar Of
our Lord"
A glee club of Chicago sang before the
next address, which was by Rev. w. P.
| Thikield. of Atlanta. Ga. on 1.-The Breadth
| and Catholicism of Methodism." He said
that Methodism is the revival of primitive
| Christianity and has no narrow doctrinal
test. 1t strives for unity of spirit, is as
broad as the charity of Almighty God and
as narrow as His righteousness.
| Methodist Philanthropy was the subject
of Rev. ]. w. Graham, of Toronto, who
urged liberality in the support of the church
and pointed out the example of Wesley.
who gave away $4,000 to the poor during
his life and left church and two silver
spoons legacy when he died.
DIR. Osborne's Address.
| Rev. Frank l.. Osborne, of May City.
Micr., spoke on "Methodism and Education
| al Leaders and said In part:
| "Time was when our church was called a
company of narrow religionists, without
culture, unschooled and united to MI a
broad place in, the worlds spiritual and in
| tellectual emancipation. Time is when We are
| recognized as leading the very forefront of
individual illiteracy and widespread ig-
| norance, as well as In her campaign against
| local evil and universal sinfulness.
Time will be when the unbiased historian
| shall dip his pen of candor in the golden Ink
| of truth and record on fair world-page
| that Our Methodism has stood neither in nor
| behind the second place. Methodism, so to
| speak, was born in a university. Is Ii any
| wonder then that she should be the mother
| OF so many centers of learning? But not
| only in the direct work of the school was
Wesley a pioneer; in several distinct
| branches Of allied enterprise he was the
harbinger Of better times and OF more liberal
| things for the whole round world. As q
| young man he set the pace for future Sun
| day-school workers Of America in that spe-
cial school he organized on the shore of the
| his day could it be said that the printing
| press was baptized for its larger mission OF
the senegai cnltIre of tbe H aCf
| society, with its practical system of COL
| pCrteurage, was 10 small agency in popular
| izing his new movement. He was the alb
| solute leader in a literature which, while
| rich in matter, was exceedingly cheap in
price. AS early as l75s Wesleys catalogue
| enumerated Isl publications, two-thirds OF
which were sold for less than ] shilling.
| and one-fourth for penny. He established
| the first church periodical, which, under one
| name and another, continues 10 this day.
| and which was the forerunner OF that large
| and splendid band Of papers and magazines
| which have Joined in spreading abroad the
4 o. ~ iS nt1n nf r1r r1x
| cessitated what We now behold In perfect
| development, our book concerns and de-
| oositories."
/ Mrs. Gordon Wright. of London, Ont
| discussed 'Women's Work in Methodism %
| and said IL was woman's hand that laid
| the foundations OF Methodsm. In 1850 the
| first Woman's Missionary Society in the
| new world was organized in Boston with
| nine charter members and from IL over fifty
mission organizations have sprung.
For the Common People.
Rev. r. r. Doherty. of Jersey City, treat
ed of THE Present Achievements OF the
Sunday School," and said its principal
achievement is the graduation OF its men,
bers into the church. The Sunday school
he termed the theological school OF the COM
mon people.
Twentieth Century Movement" was the
subject assigned TO Rev. W. ]. SippreH OF
New Westminster. B. c.. and his address
was on the line or necessity for increased
work in missions.
Mr. Woods, OF Kansas.
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