The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-27
Celebration Of the Birthday Of
the First Methodist.
President Roosevelt Delivers
the Principal Address.
HISTORY OF CHURCH
Is Reviewed in a Careful and
Exhaustive Manner.
Meets an Old Friend at Entrance
to.ssHali.

Yen work Feb Z7.=President Roose-
welt was the chief speaker last night at
q great mass meeting at Carnegie hail.
held to do honor TO the character ana
fabors of John Wesley. the founder OF
Agethodism scholar. missionary. philan-
thropist preacher. gentleman. Inc
meeting was held under the auspices OIL
the Neu York Thank Onering comnis-
sion. which has had charge Of the local
work If the twentieth century thank Of
fsrfng fund Of 90 million dollars, that
has been raised by the Methodlsts
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. D. F0ss,
Bishou walden Bishop Coodsell, L. NJ
Willis. Bishop F g. Andrews. DI- James
r Day. Bishop c. II. Fowler. j. Edgar
Leaycraft- the Rev Dr. p ; ripple. eN-
ecutive secretary OF the New 1Qfh
Thank Offering commission. the Rev
DR. j w tombstone, pastor or the Old
John Street NJ F. church. the KEY Dt-
A. ID. Leonard. secretary OF the MetnO-
fise Missionary society, and the kew
Or r. Rer1susyder Of the Lutheran
church. The hall was crowded TO the
doors and hundreds were unable 70 gam
admittance-
President Roosevelt reached the hail.
escorted by a detachment of mounted
police. at $50 As he aIghred from MS
carriage he was hailed by young man
who was struggling the in the crowd
and whom the police were trying 20
force back I'm Mike Cronin, Mr.
President and I want to hear you
speak" he shouted President Roosevelt
instantly recognized him as the driver
who drove him On the last stage OF mis-
for Buffalo, after beng notlEed OF th7
death of President Mckinley
Delighted to see you" replied the
president, who. addressing the police,
said Let that man pass Cirasplns
Cronius band. he led him into the hali
and saw that he had seat near nlIu
on the platform After the meeting the
president introduced Cronin 10 the mem
hers OF his party and told them thu
story of his furious night drive along
the Adirondack roads to- catch the train
Cheers and haudclappIug announced
the arrival Of President Roosevelt. Hao
advanced from the rear Of the platform,
accom- uied by rne presiding officer or
the meeting Ar. Bovine When ne had
reached the front VI the stage the presl-
dent bowed slightly and then walked
over to the seat reserved for him behIn
the reading desk. Chairman Bovine then
announced the hymn. Blow We 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 q
mighty volume of voices Joined
ALr Bovine made a short address. in
which he said that MethOdism is cor
stantly growing. except possibly in a
few effete cities OF the Atlantic sea
board Tin speaking OF the meeting and
Its purposes Mr. Bovine said
We are JUST little bit ahead Of time
i1 this celebration. which was To have
occurred on the hicentenial Of Wesley's
nirthda--, but this day was chosen 10y
olr president and under these circuul-
stances where we are figuring cen
turtles seW days don't count for mucn
regret exceedingly that we could
Tot accommodate all Of our friends II
Andrew Carnegie had known more or
Wesley and Methodism he would have
built this han a good deal larger. W.
viii forgive Mr. Carnegie. however. if
he goes on giving public libraries and
throws i'm a church now and then"
Air Bovine then introduced President
Roosevelt. The audience rising TO greet
MIN. President Roosevelt said
Mr. ROOSEN ELT'S ADDRESS
SIT Chairman. Ladies and Gentle.
men- am glad to have the chance of
addressing this representative body OF
the great church which Wesley found
ed ON the occasion OF the commemora-
ton Of the two huudradth anniversary