The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-04

nF about twenty-seven and one
half million of religious COM
municants in the United States,
~ nearly six millions are Metho-
dists, divided between seventeen
different bodies bearing the Methodist
name. Taken together, they make up
the most numerous Protestant denom-
ination in this country, the Baptists
coming next with about four and a
half millions gathered into thirteen dis
tinct branches. The Roman Catholics
number between eight and nine mil
lions. according to statistics prepared
by Protestant compilers, though they
themselves lay claim to much larger
following. Methodism was third among
our Protestant denominations in the
number of communicates in 1900, but
1t now occupies the first place.
These facts we obtain from the
Methodist Year Book" for 1902, an an
nual publication which pays attention
TO the branch designated especially as
the Methodist Episcopal church. or the
largest of the different Methodist COM
nunions, with an aggregate member
ship approaching three millions. The
annual expenditures of this body are
between twenty-three and twenty-four
million dollars. The number of its
churches is about twenty-seven thous-
and. of its preachers between twelve
and thirteen thousand. The state in
which it's membership is largest is
Ohio, 297651. with these states close
behind: New York. 2S7,546, and Penn
sylvana, 2s34Gl.
The growth of American Methodism,
impelled especially by the great relig-
ious revivals of the early part of the
last century. has been one of the most
remarkable in the history Of religious
development. In New York, in 1866
"a good woman called a few Metho-
dists to their duty in n rigging loft"
The whole number in the American
colonies was only five thousand: now
the membership in all the branches is
nearly six millions.
This Year Book opens with an elo-
quent tribute to President Mckinley.
in which we are told that "his election
to the chief magistracy of the nation
conferred on the Methodist Episcopal
church. for the first time in the his
tory of the government, the exalted
honor of being represented in that high
office by one of it's beloved communi-
cants." This will probably surprise
most people. because usually in the de-
scriptions of our presidents, Lincoln.
Johnson, Grant and Hayes are also set
down as Methodists, but, apparently,
1onc of them was 4 communicant.-
New York Sun.
The people of the Second Presby-
terian church of this city have treat
in store for them tomorrow when the
Rev. DR.. NJ. w. Stryker will preach
morning and evening. Dr.. Stryker is
among the very forefront of American
preachers. Those who had the priv
ilege of hearing his mastery presen-
tation of Pauls Epistle to the Gala
tions in the Green Ridge Presbyterian |
church some years ago will not soon
forget the wonderful manner in which |
he eXpounded the scriptures for he
spoke as one having authority.
The doctor is not only a great |
preacher but also one of the finest af-
ter dinner speakers in this country. |
fle is always in such demand that he |
is an exceedingly difficult man to Sc |
cure The New England society have |
tried to get him for some years but so |
far without success. This year they |
will make another attempt and If they
succeed Scrantonians will have the
pleasure of listening to one of the best
speeches even the New England So
ciety has ever heard. Hamilton college,
of which he is president, was founded
as new school college of the Presby-
terians after the split between the two
rings of the church
Commencing with Sunday evening
he Pastor Rev. ]. r. Austin will con-
duct in Ash Street NJ. T.. church a
series of Evangelistic meetings. The
following topics vii be spoken on dur
ng the week: Sunday evening, Let
Your Light Shine to be illustrated by
candles, Monday, What God Asks OF
Every Christian" Tuesday. "Open
Wednesday. Normal Fol-
overs" Thursday. Ideal Workers.
Friday. IAN EXhortation.' The Choir
ster, II. w. Stone, has organized
arge chorus and new singing books
viii be used. Services each night dur
ing the week except Saturday. Come
hou with us and we will do thee good.
The mems meeting at the Railroad
department. of the Young Mems Chris
ian association viii be held Sunday
'fternoon at 3,45. The address will be
~ Secreary W. w. Adair on the sub
ect: "Thc Rock in the Wilderness" -;
'he Department Male Quartette viii
give two selections, and will also lead
he song service, assisted by cornet
md piano. Men will find it good
'lace to spend an hour. Begin the new
ear right by attending the service and ,
living heed 10 the things 1t stand for.
There will preaching services in the
gree Methodist church, Sunday morn =
ng and evening. Mornng at 1919, a
vening at $50. Rev. $, ID. Molter. .
'hurch is known as the Finn chapel. '
|etween New York and Marion street Q