The Washington times., 1902-05-10


The annual meeting of the Epworth
League Union of the District was held
yesterday afternoon and last night. at
Epworth NJ E. Church South, Seventh and
A Streets northeast. Addresses were de-
lvered by well known pastors Of this city
and vicinity.
The business session of the union took
place at the church at o'clock yesterday
afternoon. when reports were heard from
the officers. Some elaboration of the con-
stitution. after considerable discussion.
was made. Rev. W. S. Hammond and
others taking part in the debate.
Officers Elected.
Mr.. W r. Andrews, Rockville, Nd,
was elected president, and Rev. H. c.
Beach. Falls Church, first vice president.
Among the pastors present at the exer-
cisos we're Rev. W. H. Hammond, Rev.
J. W Dutfey. presiding elder; Rev. f. T.
Griffith, Rockville; Rev. H. A. Beach. Rev.
H. ID. Harper, Rev. W. c. Dolly and Rev.
o. c. Becl.
The evening session began at 7:30
O'Clock. in a song service, which lasted
until o'clock, when the addresses of the
evening were delivered. Rev. T. P. Bell,
of Atlanta, Ca. made the address OF the
evening. his subject being Eight Years
OF Epworth League Work" He spoke par
ticularly Of the results accomplished. and
declared that the progress of the league
has been strong and steady.
Dangers Overcome.
The Dangers Met With and Overcome"
was the theme of Rev. W. L. Dolly. of
Marvin Church. of this city.
Rev. J. H. Dulaney, of Beltsville, Md,
discussed the prospects of the union. He
declared the outlook to be bright, and
predicted as long a series of successes in
the future as has attended the work of
the organization in the past.
Dudley Bucks "Te Deum" was sung
and solo rendered by Miss Ethel Cha
ney.
History of Organization.
One of the marvels of the nineteenth
century in church history is the Epworth
League. the official young peoples society
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This
organization was ushered into existence
May Is, 1SS9 with total membership Of
twenty-seven. Today II has over 1000 900
In the senior league alone, while the jun
ior league, which had scarcely been
dreamed Of thirteen years ago. now has a
membership which runs up into the thou
sands. New chapters are being organized
at the rate Of about twelve week.
To find the genesis of this wonderful
organization it will be necessary TO go
back to 1872, when the first effort was
made to provide a uniform organization
for the Methodist young people, and the
general conference of that year was me-
morialized to give recognition to the
Church Lycepm, society which had al
ready gained considerable influence in
Philadelphia and vicinity. The memorial
was not adopted until the general con-
ference OF 1876. when IL became a part of
the organic life of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. The lyceum in turn gave
place to the Oxford League. In the begin
peoples societies came into existence.
namely. the Young Peoples Methodist AL
lance. the Young Peoples Christian
League, the Methodist Young Peoples
Union, and the Methodist Episcosal ALI
ance. Each Of these societies was quite
active in pushing its respective organiza-
tion. which resulted in opposition and
Rv;,
territory already occupied by other OF
these societies.
1t was recognized by each one that some
step should be taken to harmonize and CEN
tralize the work. Finally. the Methodist
Alliance proposed a conference. and DR..
b. r. Dimmick, pastor of Central Church,
Cleveland. Ohio, invited representatives
OF the societies to meet in that church
The invitation was accepted and the lead
ers met May u. 1889. After a spirited
debate. much prayer, and consultation,
the work was accomplished. and the news
was flashed over the wire next day that
union had been formed known as the
Epworth League.
Given Its Name.
The name adopted was accidental: sew
Vi ~ piOpOotu Out Vi the
speakers in referring to the oxford
League and Epworth Hymnal by slip of
the tongue. said: oxford Hymnal and
Epworth League" The latter name made
such an impression that it was finally
adopted.
Epworth has from the beginning OF
Methodism been a familiar name to its
adherents, Epworth rectory being the |
birthplace of its founder, John Wesley. |
The Epworth League became an organic |
part OF the Methodist Episcopal Church |
during the general conference OF 1892 and |
the central Office was located from the |
Arst at Chicago.
Our YOUTH paper recognized as the !
oflcial organ of the oxford League. was
adopted as the temporary organ OF the
new organization. The founding of the
"Epworth Herald" as the official ORGAN
OF the league marked a new epoch in the 4
publication of church periodicals.. Rey. |
Joseph L. Berry. ID. d., was elected editor
and the first issue came from the press in
May. 1890. II has the largest circulation
Of any weekly church paper published in
The world. Its subscription list shows
over 10000 subscribers. 1t is a twenty
tour page illustrated paper. and at even
The small price of 81 per year Is pub
ished at a financial profit greater than
hat OF all other official papers Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church combined