The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04


lowers of John Wesley-Convention
Opened Yesterday in Simpson
Church - Addresses by Bishop
Ninde, DR.. Dresser, Rev. Henry
and others-Evening Lecture by
DR.. Hayes, Of Binghamton.
The Twentieth Century Forward
Movement has been successfully
launched In the Methodist Episcopal
churches of the Wyoming conference
and the opening session of the conven-
tion In the Simpson Methodist Epis-
copal church yesterday afternoon
served as a stimulus to the clergy and
laymen to enter into the work of win
ming two million souls to Christ dur
ing the next thirteenth months. The
presence of Bishop Ninde, of Detroit
had most helpful effect on all who
were privileged to listen to his words
of counsel and the discussions which
followed were fraught with many sug-
gectiOns of Christian usefulness.
The scheduled programme was
somewhat diverted during the after.
noon, owing to the absence of Rev.
w. II. Pearce and Rev. G. T.. Mogg,
of Wilkes Barre, who were expected
to present papers. The session re-
solved itself into a general discussion
of the forward movement. in which
many prominent clergyman partici-
pated. In the evening Rev. A. W.
Hayes, d. D.. of Binghamton deliv-
in
Five Historic Graves, or Lessons for
the Twentieth Century" The sessions
today promise to be the featured ones
of the convention. and large gatherings
of church workers are expected to at
tend. Dinner and tea will be served
freely by the ladies of the church to
all who attend.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened
promptly at 2 o'clock, with Presiding
Elder Rev. Austin Griffin. d. D., in the
chair. The devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. w. A. Wagner, of
Luzerne, and consisted of Scripture
reading, prayer, singing and recitations
of Scriptural passages, in which many
participated. At 2.3O o'clock the chair
vention to the fact that the secretary
was not present. and Rev. c. b. Henry,
of Taylor, was unanimously chosen to
act.
DR.. Griffin then stated the object of
the convention, which was for the spe-
cial spiritual consideration of the
Twentieth Century Forward Move
ment, for the purpose of winning souls
to Christ. I'VE are in the most i'm
portant era that has come to Metho-
dism in hundred years." he said, land
there must be a conviction in the
churches that the commonplace meth
DDS will not avail the purpose, and
there must be a taking hold, and the
signs of the times indicate that the
King is at the head of the procession"
Bishop Ninde, of Detroit, who was in
the city yesterday on his way south,
was introduced to the convention. He
spoke briefly and said he was warmlv
in sympathy with the movement, but
expressed the belief that there was a
tendency abroad to depart from til
traditional thought of Methodism as
far as our duty to society is concerned.
The new thought seems to have some
acceptance. which Is along the line of
delving into reforms of society and
politics, and people are laboring to re-
habilitate society instead of individuals.
THE MORAL SIDE.
Continuing, he said: "Instead of
dwelling upon the evangelical side, peo-
pie seem to be dwelling on the moral
side of life. and it is my conviction we
should seek the rehabilitation of soci-
ETY. through the regeneration of indi-
viduals. l believe that when the min
istry attacks individual sins, the bless
ing will flow as a result. We should
train our people in the ways of God,
instead of divertng them from the gos-
pei and making them superficial Chris
tians.
II wish ministers would embrace the
underlying principles of the gospel and
work them out. I am in sympathy
with this forward movement. and ad-
wise you to seize upon every Opportun-
ity to win souls to Christ. We must do
what we can to bring men and women
to accept Jesus Christ. The church
that settles down to the old fashioned
idea of not doing any work will soon
be in state of dry rot 1t is the duty
of every Christian to broaden out and
go down into the depths of society and
win souls.
IT believe in conuuering and sub
DUNG the world for Christ, and in
bringing men to the feet of Jesus. We
want the high-toned military idea of
work in winning souls. I have noted
the growing antipathy towards the
church, and I have discovered that
many wage-earners are not in SYM
pathy with the church, but 1t is not
true that the wage-earners as a class
are unfriendly to the church. would
suggest. however. the advisability of a
closer relationship between the work.
ing people and the churches.
DESIRE TO COME CLOSER,
"There Is in the minds of the more
considerate q desire to become closer
related to the church, and l believe
that the Lord Is with every movement
for the betterment of mankind. Let us
appeal to Him and untold blessings will
come"
At the conclusion of the bishops re-
marks. the business of the convention
was temporarily suspended and the
meeting resolved itself into a general
handshaking with the venerable clergy
man. the pastors. laymen and others
present being personally introduced by
Rev. j. h. Sweet. When the pro-
gramme was resumed, there appeared
to be misunderstanding relative to
the numbers thereon, and some con-
fusion was apparent on account Of the
absence of Rev. w. III. Pearce, ID. d.,
4