The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-09
GREAT METHODIST JUBILEE
THIRD ANNIVERSARY OTTHE BOTH
 CENTURY WhSLEYANLEAGU

Afternoon S66, ,33O.97 of the Total
 Amount Subscribed Paid tn- Excellent
 Addresses on the Movement.
 The Methodists of the city held a great jubilee service in the First Meth
 odist church yesterday afternoon. It
 was the occasion of the celebration of the third anniversary of the organiza-
 ton of the Twentieth Century Wesley an league, which had for it's noble pur-
 pose the task of raising $75,O00, which sum was needed in order that the sev-
 eral congregations might be free from
 debt. In consequence of the same be-
 ing close to the hearts of all Methodists
 there was 8 large representative con-
 gregation present and one that well
 filled the house of worship.
 The service was opened by the sing
 ing of the same hymn which was used
 at the time of organization, The
 Church's One Foundation" After the
 singing of that very fervent prayer, and one which was full of thankfulness for the work that had been accomplish ed by the league, was offered by Rev.
 Frank H. Rall, pastor of Trinity Meth
 odist church.
 In the absence of the founder and president of the league, Henry H. Ben edict, who is quite seriously i'll and Is at present in the south for the benefit of his health, the vice president, John T..
 Manson, gave a brief resume of the work that had been done by the league since its inception three years ago. He expressed a sincere regret that MT. Benedict, who had made such an excel lent leader and to whose untiring ef- forts most of the success of the move ment is due. was not able to be present and make an address himself, but that he was pleased to inform all that word had just been received that he stood the journey south very we'll and was now thought to be on the road to full recov- cry.
 MT. Manson said that he did not pro- pose giving history of the movement. because it was too we'll known to the people at large, and the Methodists in particular and that it did not need to be repeated. But the principal aim of the organization was to raise money to pay off the indebtedness of the several churches, especially those of the Grace, Epworth, Summerfield and Howard avenue churches. The first meeting was held in the First Methodist church at the call of MT. Benedict, who seemed to think that he had a call from God to undertake a work of this nature. and he unfolded his plans at that time and which have been carried out almost in their entirety. His idea was to first se- cure a thousand persons who would contribute $10 each and then to move on to greater things. This part was fully realized at a meeting addressed by Rev. pr. Chadwick about ten months after organization, and from then on the real work began. Large pledges were received until the amount sub scribed was about $4O,0o0, when there was stop. Then the Ladies' Aid soci- ety came to the rescue and they con tributed several thousand dollars. One year ago $66,O0O had been secured in and pledges, leaving about $s.Ooo yet to be collected. This amount was collected and promised at meeting held on the occasion of the second an- niversary of the beginning of the good work.
 What has been accomplished up to date was shown by the report of the treasurer, N. A. Fullerton. It was: To- tai received from members, $12,67940; Ladies' Aid society, $S,36741 Sunday schools, $639.72; general subscriptions, s49, ,344.44; total, $66,3S0.97 Of this amount $64, ,352.1S has already been paid put for the cancellation of existing mortgages and for interest on those still existing, and this leaves balance in he treasury of $1,67S.79 The treasurer added that about $400 was paid in yes .erday and there were bright prospects if the total amount pledged being re- ,eived by the first of the year. The 1amden church was the first to be en- irely free from debt. They have paid very dollar which they subscribed to | he league fund
 After the singing of an offertory an- [ hem, Onward, Christian Soldiers by he choir, Rev. w. H. Burgwin, who vas for several years pastor Of sum nerfield church, but who Is now asso- iated with the Eighteenth street M. F. hurch, Brooklyn, N. Y, gave very finely address. Rev. MT. Burgwin was he first secretary of the league and worked zealously for the furtherance of ts purpose and aided very materially n the accomplishments of these pur- loses. He said that the people of Meth dism In New Haven were just now rossing their Jordan and entering into he promised land flowing with milk and Ioney. It was indeed time for a ju-
 lee, just as when the children of Is- ael entered into the promised land. here was enough joy in their hearts to ave furnished enthusiasm for hun red jubilees, and they were ready for
 service of praise and thanksgiving. his was indeed the case with those in- crested in this movement. The speak r said that to-day marked the transit ion time for the people here and that heir condition was one now which was free from debt. It was ,orthy of jubilee. One thing which yas necessary in the accomplishment of
 great work like this was to believe, nd if this were so God would hear heir petitions and their fondest hopes ,ould be realized. He says, "Go ye up Ito the promised land, the land flow ,g with milk and honey" We have bout complied with His command, and le removal of these debts is like the aking, away of millstones which have