The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-13
The EpWOrth League.
TOPICS AND SUGGESTIONS OF INTEREST 10 ITS MEr8ERs

Delight in Gods House" will be the
Epworth League topic for Sunday even
ing, September II, 1902 References,
Psa-. lxxxfv:1-4: Psa-, els. The fol-
lowing will prove helpful in considera-
ton OF the lesson: 'eThe Head of the
Church. Col. 1850; The Glory of the
Church. Isa.. Ixii:1-7; The Task Of the
Church" Rom. xv:I-6; "A United
Church. John, xvii:1I-23; a Purified
Church, Matt. xviii:15-IS; a Tri-
uTnphant Church" Rev. xiii.
Infdels and enemies OF the church.
though they oppose the Christian reIf-
gion, when selecting a place of resi-
dence choose locality where there are
churches, Public schools and Institutions
which are the result of Christianity.
The business man recognizes the value
Of the church. When new town sites
are being located ground is generally
donated for churches and schools, and
when advertising the town as desiTa-
bic place for business and residence
these Institutions are given a prominent
place and are considered as great in
ducements toward securing new settlers.
The following helpful thoughts are
given in the -Epworth Herald"
The Greater Church.
No one denomination is the church. No
ore system OF Worship has exclusive ac-
cess to God. Greater than all denomi-
nations. conmunions, creeds. systems, is
The mighty church that includes them
alI-the church OF Jesus Christ. God
rules its life. He determines its safety.
He provides for its needs He gives it
its spiritual power He sends its mis-
sionaries. enlishtens its teachers. safe
guards its essential truths and gives II
the increase IF its 1abors
The head of the church IS Jesus
Christ. Historically the church is the
product OF the force which is called
Christianity. There was a church be-
fore a Bible and a taith before church
and fact before a church That fact
was Jesus Christ. The son of God. only
begotten. son Of man, redeemer, saviour,
advocate. The holy church throughout
all the world looks 10 him. the head OF
the household Of fa3ch.
The great church has glorious ideals.
Every separate society must cherish
them and seek to realize them Here are
some of them
MY Let tlASES BE many SICK 2nG
weak and fEail in the church as wiII
come 10 it. It may well be a hospital
IN which many are but convaIescent
But 1t must not be IaZaretto. filled
With unclean folk who have no desire
Tor cleanness and soundness of life.
Fidelity. The church is set for the
proclamation and defense of the gospel
Failure TO preach the whole truth is
disloyaity to the Lord who gave the
truth. No church OF individual can de-
fend the faith who will not preach it and
live IT.
Unity This ideal does not seek a ne
cfanicaI and external union of organIza-
tons. but a unity of spirit Doubtless
there will be denominations to the end
Of the age. but there is & growing hope
and desire for a great and splendid
unity. The prayer of our Lord is com
ing to fuller answer day by day Bigo-
try and prejudice and intolerance are
less powerful. The churches are fight
ing each other less bitterly than they
did a half century ago We are learning
10 save cur ammunition for the common
enemy The church is the earthly rep
resentative Of the New Brotherhood in
Jesus Christ. We shall shortly be one
ii him in the life that is TO come We
are learning that our unity may begin
here and now.
And at last. The church militant
now-by and by the church triumphant.
Now the conflict and the joy OF service
il hostile world: then the attainment
and the joy of service in the paradise Of
God!
Half Minute Thoughts.
The object of the psaImist's real de-
sire was not the tabernacle. but the God
who was revealed there. 4 church where
God is not found is a useless place A
church member who Is not temple of
the Spirit has failed of Gods intent
The psalmist's face was set toward
Jerusalem. though far away. Daniels
windows were opened toward Jerusalem
when he prayed in the land Of the cap
tivitY Today the Christian looks to-
ward a better Jerusalem. the city of
perfected life. Re may be a citizen Of
the world. in high and holy sense, but
his final and determining citizenship is
il heaven.
Soul, heart. and flesh cry out for God.
Thou hast made US for myself, and We
are not at rest until We find rest in
thee" The whole man seeks for the
presence Of God in his life.
As long as we are in the flesh we shall
need some form and place OF worship
Most people who profess the ability 20
worship God apart from the ordinances
OF the sanctuary, in nature, for in
stance. rarely get past the claim that
such worship is possible to them They
do not test their powers
Church Extension Items
May Is, 1865. the original Church Elk
tension Society" was incorporated in the
State of Pennsylvania February DC,
1873, the Board of Church Extension"
was Incorporated in the same State.
When Methodist Episcopal Church Elk
tension was organized We had 10000
churches; now, $1,000 Then, 923. 600
members; now, nearly 5000, COO. Then
soc. eco members of Sunday schools; now.
over 5000. 0C0, and Church Extension
structures shelter the great majority of
this great force
In the acquired territory west Of the
Mississippi River the board has aided
in the erection of over $500 churches,
which constitutes s. per cent of all the
Methodist Episcopal churches in that
territory. and has witnessed the in
crease Of Methodist Episcopal member
ship from IS. 600 10 Geo, and the in
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