The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
FOUNDER OF METHODlSM
Prominent Citizens and Laymen, at the Denson Hotel,
Celebrate BicentenniaI Of John WesIeys Birth

Something less than 200 years ago a very
remarkable man came TO the conclusion
that the priests of the Established Church
of England were not interpreting the Bible
truthfully. With fiery earnestness he be-
gan TO preach a new creed and in an in
credibly short time drew around him a
band of enthusiastic followers as strong
in the faith as the disciples OF 1900 years
ago. This man was John Wesley, VINO
cast aside the robes of a priest of the
Church of England to become the perse-
cuted founder of a new church-the
Methodist Episcopal.
To celebrate the bicentennial OF the
birth of John Wesley five hundred ministers
and members of the laity banqueted at the
Denison Hotel last night. Probably half
the number were women, ardent enthu-
siastic soldiers in the army OF Methodism.
The banquet was held in the main dining
room and in the ordinary opening into 1t.
and the space was barely sufficient to ac-
commodate the banqueters. Preceding the
dinner a reception was held in the parlors
in honor of the senators and others VINO
were on the programme for toasts.
BISHOP FOWLER DELAYED.
The inability of Bishop Charles II. Fowl
er, of Buffalo, n. Y, who was to respond
to the toast 1.-The Future of Methodism,'
to reach the city in time for the banquet
was very disappointing TO the member or
the committee in charge of the affair.
Much had been anticipated from Bishop
Fowler. known as one of the most eloquent
ecclesiastics in the country. The bishop
did not arrive until Has last night. too
L. o& han
heard tonight at the great mass meeting
of Methodists to be held in Tomlinson Hall.
Governor Winfield T. Durbin presided as
toastmaster, and made the necessary IN
Productions gracefully and wittily The
aged Thomas A. Goodwin, minister of the
church for generations, pronounced the IN
vocation. At the toastmaster's table were
Governor and Mrs. Durbin, Senator Fair
banks, Senator Beveridge, the Rev. Thom-
as A. Goodwin, the Rev. Joshua Stansfield.
the Rev. Hiram w. Kellogg, the Rev. L. b.
Rawls. Frank e. Gavin, oliver H. Carson
and others.
In introducing DR.. kellogg, who respond
ed to the toast THE Man." Governor Dur
bin said: How pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together In unity. That spirit Is
present here tonight as it always Is on
occasions when Methodists gather. Meth
odists are the best people In the world to
make each other feel at home. 1t Is q
characteristic of the church and OF the
church people. To me II is exceedingly de-
lightful to be able to have some part In
celebrating the bicentennial OF the birth OF
one whom have always considered one OF
the most remarkable men not only in his
own but of all times. A great spirit, Wes-
ley, and his deep voice, pulsating. with
truth has come ringing down the halls OF
time crying in tones that never die away
the great principles of truth upon which
the church stands like rock"
The Governor spoke forcibly on the
changes of doctrine that Methodists have
come to find necessary since the time OF
Wesley. He said that there was too much
of the iron Calvinistic spirit about the doc
trine of Wesley, and that the teaching OF
infant damnation was in direct opposition
to the express saying of Christ that "Unless
We become as a little child, ye shall never
enter the kingdom of heaven" Logically
and forcefully the Governor traced the
mitigation of Wesleys iron pronouncements
and concluded with the statement that the
church has before 1t brilliant future for
the uplifting of humanity.