The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-16
NETHOD|STS HONOR THE
MEMORY OF WESLEY
Celebrate BiCentennial of Annlver-
sary of Greed.

The bicentennial anniversary OF John
Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and
the fourteenth anniversary of the re-
organization of the EDworth League,
were celebrated last night by joint
meeting of the Epworth Leagues of the
Washington districts of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. The meeting
was held in the Metropolitan NJ. f.
Church and was presided over by Secre-
tarY Shaw.
The whole tenor of the speeches and
the meeting was toward union OF the
Methodist churches in the United States.
Secretary Shaw said when he arose to
introduce the speaker of the evening,
Bishop w. A. Gambler, d. D., of Au-
gusta, Ga: Il had two purposes in
coming to this meeting tonight; to hear
Bishop Gambler speak and to say that
the time has come when there Is room
for but one Methodist church in the
United States. The old principles that
divided the churches are dead. l am
not 4 believer in mergers, but If l were
would begin with the Methodist
church. In that way religion would be
furnished with less expense. The break
between the churches should be mended-
Bishop Gambler answered Secretary
Shaw by saying that ne thought there
was but one Mel hodisIn the world over.
The leagues do we'll to celebrate the
bicentennial of John Wesley. than whom
there has been no man since Martin
Luther to whom this nation owes more
He was the greatest reyiyalist of re-
ligion, and our country owes more 10
him than does any other. The work OF
Paul and OF Luther has Influenced the
world as much as the greatest battle
ever fought, but this influence would
have been lessened had it not been for
Wesley. Through his efforts he founded
an organization which numbered 100000
at the time of his death. When he be-
gan his preaching in England. Christian
ity was scoffed at. Not only the lower
classes, but also the higher classes were
degraded Whatever affected England
affected the colonies, and in America
there was corruption and relaxation.
The ideas OF Voltaire were aiming
ground At this juncture the enthusiasm
of John Wesley helped TO save the
young republic.
lone hundred and fifty years has not
succeeded in quenching the enthusiasm
of Wesley. His influence has defeated
even the prophecy of Voltaire.''
Out of Methodism has grown the Ep-
worth League, similar to the Christian
| Endeavor movements In other churches,
but independent In May, 1889. the
Young Peoples Societies of The NJ. f.
| churches in Cleveland. Ohio. united into
one organization under the name OF the
| Epworth League. The young people OF
the NJ. E. Church South formed a SINH
! lar organization in the same year. The
| two leagues are one and the same In
name and purpose ana their union is
| only a question Of time.
The service last night was participat-
ed in by both branches of the church. The
| Rev J. W. Duffey, D. D., presiding elder
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. read the scriptures; the Rev. F,
NJ Bristol, D. D.. of the Metropolitan
Methodist Episcopal Church, offered the
prayer, and the Rev. H. r. Naylor, pre-
siding elder of the Methodist Episcopal
| Washington district. delivered the bene-
| diction.