The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-10

The bishops call to the Methodists
of America regarding a season af fast
ing and prayer, beginning March 25,
Is attracting widespread attention.
The impassioned appeal for more con-
secration and more aggressive work
on the part of the church is recognised
in Its elegance Of diction and eloquent
climax as emanating from the brain
and pen of Bishop C. H. Fowler.
At Plymouth on Monday and Tues
day an interesting meeting of the Min
isterial association was held, when this
subject occupied much of the time. A
resolution was introduced which by
its adoption obligates the pastors Of
the district to the reading Of the
bishops address and the observance
of the same according to its direction.
The Tribune has endeavored to gain
concensus of opinion regarding the
warning made in this, appeal and the
existing conditions of the churches in
this vicinity. Among some of the re-
plies received is the following from
Rev. Austin Griffin, d. D., presiding
elder of the Wyoming district:
CAUSE OF THE DECREASE.
Rev. DR.. Giffin said that he should
announce the reading Of the bishops
address and should recommend its
close observance. He was Of the opin-
ion that the general public is mis-
lead by the statement as to the fall
ing off in numbers. The fact is that
only in the past two years has an en-
forcement Of the discipline regarding
INor hi
been required. The old custom was
to keep all names on the church rec
ord whether the owners could be found
or not. 1t is now required that all
those who have removed or who from
other causes cannot be found for one
year shall not be numbered on the
church record. The names are still
there, so that at any time letters of
dismissal or recommendation can be
given, but they are not actually count
ed In the membership.
In this way alone $50 names have
been dropped from the records of ELM
Park church in the past two years of
DIR. Giffin's pastorate. Thus 1t can
readily be seen what a tremendous
list will be taken from the roll of the
church in America. 1t Is this change
in the rules that causes the seeming
retrogression, numerically speaking.
The fact is that the former regulations
gave fictitious representation. 1t is
estimated that 16 per cent. Of the
membership of the Methodist church
was effective and real, but that under
the new regulations the live growth
of the church will soon be noted. When
1000 probationers are reported in the
Wyoming district during the past year,
with not all the returns in, the access
sion of members may be more correct
ly estimated. The seeming decrease
has not been confined to the Metho-
dist church. but affects all except the
Roman Catholic and the Lutheran,
which receive their great reinforce
ments from immigration.
DIR. Giffin believed that a favorable
reaction is taking place, not only in
finance, but in religion in this coun-
try. The financial depression did ef-
feet the church, but reports Of large
revivals are constantly being made
and 1t is evident that unprecedented
growth is about to be recorded.
DIR. GRIFFINs VIEWS.
We are great church. In point of
numbers, wealth, culture and influence
we are second to no other Protestant
church. Our responsibilities are corre-
spondingly great. God and the world
expects great things from such a peo-
pie. Our declared mission is ito spread
Scriptural holiness over all lands" Our
blshops have the entire world parish
under survey. They discover that for
the past five years at least we have not
held up to our former record as an
aggressive evangelizing force especial
ly in the home field. Methodism must
be christianity in earnest" or strike
her flag and retire from the conflict.
We are not ready to abdicate our
throne. We have some power a little
wealth. and we live. Our lines of COM
munication are open and direct to Pen
tecost and the sources Of "all power"
Hence the episcopal call. Their show
iEs is for the year ending October, 1899.
The record of the current year will
make u very different showing. Re
ViHals are thS order in our churches
across the continent. Our own district
Wyoming) will report more than 1000
conversions this conference year. The
best record by far we have made In a
decade. The episcopal call is the har-
binger of victory all along the line.
The church will stride into the new
century with the swing of mighty con-
quest Already
1--WE see the triumph from afar,
BY faith we bring it nigh"
CHURCH Is GROWING.
Rev. ]. B. Sweet, secretary of the
Wyoming conference, and pastor OF
Simpson church, of West Scranton, IL
in a position to know more about the
progress of the church in this region
than almost any other man. In the
course of in interview yesterday DR..
Sweet said
The call TO humiliation. fasting and
prayer by the bishops of our church