Evening journal., 1903-02-27
METH0D|STS HOLD
GREAT MEETING
In Honor of the Character
and Labors Of John Wesley
Their Founder
PRESIDENT THE CHIEF SPEAKER

lrnt0lDtNl INT Lnitf 0ftAkth
New York. Feb 27. - President
Roosevelt was the chief speaker last
night at a great mass meeting at Car.
negie Hall, held TO do honor to the
character and labors Of John Wesley.
the founder OF Methodism. scholar. mis-
sionary, philanthropist. preacher. gen.
tleman" The meeting was held under
the auspices of the New York Thank
Offering Commission. which has had
charge OF the local work Of the Twen-
tieth Century Thank Offering Fund of
$4,000. 600 that has been raised by the
Methodists throughout the country TO
celebrate the advent Of the twentieth
century OF the Christian era.
Samuel W. Bovine presided with
President Roosevelt at his right, and
on the platform were Bishop c. ID.
Foss. Bishop Walden, Bishop Goodsell.
e. NJ. Willis Bishop E. G. Andrews, DR..
James r. Day, Bishop c. H. Fowler
and many others.
The hall was crowded to the doors
and hundreds were unable TO gain ad-
mittance.
AS President Roosevelt alighted from
his carriage at the hall he was hailed
by young man who was struggling in
the crowd and whom the police we're
trying TO force back. I'm Mike Gro
min. Mr.. President and / want to hear
You speak," he shouted. President
Roosevelt instantly recognized him as
the driver who drove him on the last
stage Of mis- journey to North Creek to
take the train for Buffalo, after being
notified of the death of President Nc
Kinley
Delighted to see you." replied the
president. who. addressing the police,
said Let that man pass" Grasping
Cronin's hand he led him into the
hall and saw that he had a seat near
him on the platform. After the meet
ing the president introduced Cronin to
the members of his party and told
them the story Of his furious night
drive along the Adirondack roads to
catch the train.
Chairman Bovine announced the
hymn, BLOW Ye the Trumpet, Blow"
by Charles Wesley. Bishop Cyrus d.
Foss, of Philadelphia, then led the
meeting in prayer, closing with the
Lords Prayer. in which a mighty vol
ume of voices Joined. Mr.. Bovine made
a short address. in which he said that
Methodism is constantly growing. ex-
cept. possibly, in a few effete cities
on the Atlantic seaboard. In speaking
Of the meeting and its purpose, Mr.
Bovine said:
I'VE are Just a little BIT ahead OF
time in this celebration, which was to
have occurred on the bi-centennial of
Wesiey's birth, but this day was
chosen by our president, and under the
circumstances where we are figuring
centuries a few days don't count for
much.
Il regret exceedingly that we could
not accommodate all of our friends.
If Andrew Carnegie had known more
Of Wesley and Methodism he would
have built this hall good deal larger.
We will forgive Mr.. Carnegie, however,
if he goes on giving public libraries
and throws in a church now and
then"
Mr. Bovine then introduced Presi-
dent Roosevelt, tho audience rising toI
greet him. The president spoke of the
wonderful growth Of Methodism and
paid a glowing tribute to the ploneerI
preachers of colonial times. In speak
ing of John Wesley. he said:
1.-The church he founded has through
out its career been a church for the
poor as we'll as for the rich. and has
known no distinction of persons. III
has been a church whose members, i'll
true to the teachings of its founder,
have sought for no greater privilege
than to spend and be spent in the in
terest of the higher life. who have
prided themselves, not on Sinking
rough duty, but on undertaking II and
carrying it to a successful conclusion.
I come here to pay my tribute TO your
past because you have deserved well
of mankind. because you have striven
with strength and courage to bring
nearer the day when peace and justice
shall obtain among the peoples of the
earth"