The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-09

{ as li 4 The speaker then said that there were at the present time about 3,40O members
 of the several Methodist churches in the
 city, and to look forward five years he saw no reason why this membership should not be increased to 10000. Many
 people will not go to church because it
 has debt. but if you can plainly point out that there is no hindrance of that kind many souls can be led to Jesus Christ and be saved. This can be done if the people are willing to pay the price. Theirs is the land of milk and honey, if they do the work and thus win the favor of Jesus Christ
 Rev. William F. McDowell, D. D., sec- retary of the board of education of the Methodist Episcopal church, was the next speaker He said that he brought with him the greetings and congratula- tions of the Twentieth Century Thank Offering Commission,s of which he had the honor of being member. This was the third year of that organization which set out on the noble mission and with the stupendous task before it of raising $2O,000,000. It was thought to be a very great task because the Meth odists of the country were never thought to be possessed of an over-sup- ply of money. He facetiously remarked that they had never been so poor that they never possessed horn and that they always had the ability to blow it. He was happy and proud to report that the first of December showed that $15,- 0O0,OC0 had been officially announced as the amount of money received and in pledges. The speaker said that on his own responsibility he could state that this amount was more nearly $17, 100000. This was the grand total of gifts which was to be distributed among churches, Sunday schools, hospitals, colleges. dea- conesses' homes and other like institu- tions He said that everywhere the good example of New Haven had been spoken of and was being pointed to as an example of what can be done by those who set out with purpose and bend their every energy to the fulfill ment of that purpose. The showing of this courage will go long way toward helping other churches to undertake similar movement. There is afine sense of brotherhood which has come in the name of the Lord, and that unity is re- sponsible for much of the good that has been done The movement is not mer- cenary, but spiritual, and there is no intention to build high towers and proud buildings, but to carry on the work of the Master in the plain, sim pie way which He has taught us to do. We have to look backward at what has been done in order that we may have courage to go forward, and, having looked backward we will have the cour- age to go forward. There is a saying that the end of exploration is the be- ginning of the enterprise, and that prin- ciple is applicable here-that the end of the debt paying is the beginning of lar- ger and greater work.
 The speaker said that he had been considering for some time past just how he should make his thank offering unto God. He said that he had assisted sev- eral like movements and other smaller charities, but the real thank offering he had not yet made and he could not de- eide just how he could show his thank fulness. Tn connection with the thought of thankfulness the speaker related in a very simple but effective way the story of his mother's death, which re- cital moved half of the audience to tears He said that he was extremely thankful that he would once again have the privilegeNo of meeting and being with that mother again, when there would be no separation.
 In closing the speaker again reminded the people that their work was just I beginning and that there must be no tagging behind. All must assist in the ! successful fulfllment of every promise made and in the final continuation of i this important movement.
 The service closed with benediction | by Rev Gardner s. Eldridge.