New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
RAISED $50, 900. 900.
Methodist F'und Started an 1923
COmpleted.

Springfield, Mass, Jan. AT Trinity Method
ist Episcopal Church tonight. the stroke of
twelve. DR.. E. NJ Mills, presiding elder OF the
Elmira, N. z, district. announced the COM
p1etion Of the raising of fund OF $4,000 900 for
/ the relief and endowment OF institutions
nected with the Methodist Church in this coun-
try, for evangelical work, the assistance Of
superannuated clergymen. and for further edu-
| cational, philanthropc and missionary work
The plan first discussed at a convention
of the Methodist bishops in Trinity Church in
October, 1888. 1t then proposed to raise
the fund by the end OF the century that the
announcement could be made January 1,
1901. 1t found that the work could not be
accomplished in SO short time, but that 1t has
been done now is for widespread thanks
giving. and throughout the country Methodist
watch meetings tonight turning toward
Springfield and the men who have successfully
carried out the enormous task
Among the speakers tonight We're: DR.. Samuel
f. Upham. of the Drew Theological Seminary.
Madison. n. J.: Bishop Charles H. Fowler, DR..
w. f. Mcdowell, and the Rev. F. NJ. Antrim,
pastor of Trinity Church. The announcement
OF the end of the work came from Dr. Mills. the
secretary, upon whom most of the details of the
undertaking have fallen.
The church. for the annual watch meeting to-
night. was crowded to the doors. and there
great enthusiasm over the announcement by
DR.. Mills
The work of raising the fund of s2O.0ooO00 the
Twentieth Century Thank Offering of the Methodist
Episcopal Church was begun November 1. 1895,
to mark the close of century in which the
denomination founded by John Wesley had obtained
phenomenal growth. and the beginning of another.
in which still greater progress is confidently
pected
The movement was started at the annual meet
ing Of the board of bishops of the church, which
held that year In Springfield, Mass. The
scheme developed into plans for providing for the
endowment Of Methodist Episcopal educational in
stitutions, for the endowment of city evangelical
ton work, the endowment of institutions doing
charitable and philanthropic work the payment of
debts all Methodist Episcopal churches and pro-
viding ample support for superanuated
preachers.
The COMMITTEES in charge of the work. with head
quarters in the Methodist Book Concern at No. $50
Fifth-ave.. is composed of Bishops E. G. Andrews,
II. ". Warren. c. D. Foss. J. F. Hurst W. y.
Hinde, W F; Mallalieu and c. H Fowler; the Rev.
]. R. Day ]. W Bashford, II. A. Goblin, ]. F,
Goucher and ". r. Mcdowell; ]. E Andrus, Yonk-
ers: A E. Browne, Washington Alden speare,
r ". Tunnen, Philadelphia; J. Rushing, Trenton;
J; P. Dolliver, Fort Dodge, Iowa; James Hopper.
orangs n J.: J. G. Holmes. Pittsburg: B. s. gray.
Columbus. William Deering Evanston. ILL.,. and ".
L. Holmes. Detroit.
The work of raising the money was intrusted to
the Rev. DR.. Edmund Mead Mills. an alumnus and
trustee of Wesleyan University, at Middletown.
Conn who then Presiding Elder of the Enlfra
While the task had been declined by Older and
more experienced men. DR.. Mills undertook it with
the work he visited every Methodist Conference
from the Atlantic to the Pacific those in the
Southern States States Thch belong TO the Methodst @
contributed to the funds.