Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16
UNION MASS MEETING
Epworth Leagues of District
Celebrate Anniversary.
FRATERNITY MANIFEST
CHURCHES OF NORTH AND SOUTH
REPRESENTED.
Principal Address Delivered by Secre-
tary of the Treasury-Pro-
gram of Exercises.
FRATERNITY MANIFEST


gram of Exercises.
Young Methodism of Washington assem-
bled in large numbers at the Metropolitan
NJ. E. Church last night in attendance on
the exercises in commemoration of the
fourteenth anniversary of the organization
of the Epworth League and of the two
hundredth anniversary of the birth of John
Wesley. The occasion was Joint mass
meeting under the auspices of the Epworth
Leagues of the Washington district of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. and
the program included an address by Bishop
Warren A Gambler Of the Southern Meth
odist Church and a brief address by Sec
rotary Leslie M. Shaw, who presided.
Among others who participated in the ex-
ercises were Rev. DR.. ]. w. Duffey. pre-
siding elder Of the Southern Church; Rev.
DR.. H. R. Naylor, presiding elder of the
M. E. Church, Rev. DR.. F. M. Bristol pas
tor of Metropolitan; Mr.. F. T. Israel, presi-
dent of the District Epworth League or
the NJ E. Church. and Mr.; George Lamar,
president of the District Epworth League
of the Southern Church
While the audience consisted for the most
part of young people affiliated with the
Methodism, the older generation was rep
resented in the audience, and many OF the
pastors of the various churches OF both
denominations were present.
The auditorium of the church was hand
somely decorated for the occasion. Draped
about the balcony were the colors of the
southern branch of the Epworth League
yellow and white-with the red, white and
blue emblems of the Methodist Episcopal
League appearing at intervals on shields
hung from the balcony. Across the rear
of the cbancel were draped two large
American flags, together with the colCrS OF
the two leagues interviewer in a streamer.
The pulpit desk was covered with yelio"
and white bunting and an American nag,
while suspended in front OF the desk was d
white Maltese cross on which were the let
tiers "E. L. in red within blue circle.
Fraternal Spirit Manifested.
One of the characteristic features of the
joint mass meeting was the apparent
unanimity of sentiment which was s1gnln-
cant of the fraternal spirit among the
young people Of the two branches Oh
Methodism. In evidence Of the good feel
ing which prevails were the brief remarks
by the presidents of the respective organ
iZations. Mr.. Israel, president OF the
league of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
at the beginning of the program stated
that the meeting was the first official union
meeting of the two leagues in this city
since their organization, and he expressed
the hope that many more such gatherings
would be held in the future. Mr.. George
Lamar president of the league of the
Southern Church, spoke in a similar strain
and said he believed the assembly of last
night was but the beginning of many union
meetings of the two societies and of more
cooperation In work on the line OF Chris
tan effort.
Following the singing of an anthem by
the Metropolitan League choir of fifty
voices, DR.. Duffey read the Scriptual lesson
-aP1 ont
prayer Miss Ida M. Babbitt sang pleas
ing solo, and after the announcements had
been made Secretary Shaw spoke briefly OF
his pleasure in being present at the gath
ering.
Secretary Shaw's Introductory Address
Among other things Mr.. Shaw said:
Il think the time has arrived when there
Is room in the United States for but one
Methodist Church. The old church was
divided on a principle. But that principle
which rent the church In twain Is now out
of existence. and both branches say Amen
to that proposition. l don't see much now
to keep US apart
Il am not much of believer In merg-
ers, but II I were going to merge anything
1 would begin with the Methodist churches
first, and then merge all the other churches.
I believe by such consolidation we could
furnish religion at less expense to the con-
sumner. 1 am glad to welcome the southern
bishop to this city. Forty years ago the two
churches made an application for divorce,
as it were, but the proceedings have been
dismissed. and, as I used to say to young
couples when their martial differences had
cause of disagreement Our country Is too
small, too contracted as to territory, to
recognize any lines in the United States.
excepting those drawn on the maps"
Secretary Shaw then introduced Bishop
Gambler, with complimentary remarks to
him personally and to the southland.
The principal speaker Of the evening was
greeted with enthusiastic and prolonged
applause. and in the beginning of his adj
dress Of John Wesley and Methodism he
said. in reply to the remarks of Secretary
Shaw, that he believed there Is now but
one Methodism in spirit all over the
country.
Bishop Gambler said the Methodists of
the United States do well to celebrate
John Wesley's bi-centenary, because to no
other man since Martin Luther does this
country owe more for its moral tone and
development. America, he said. has been
the greatest beneficiary of Wesley's min
iStry.
Influence of Religion.
The speaker told of the influence of re-
ligiOn on mankind throughout the ages, and
declared that the great revival of the eigh-
teenth century occasioned by the teachings
Of John Wesley marked an epoch of great
Importance in Professionalism. In England
it exerted a powerful influence for good
upon the spirit Of the established church
as well as upon the politics Of the nation
and upon English society. The clergy were
aroused to greater spirituality and the
professed Christians were inspired to great
err zeal.
The speaker cited the conditions which
prevailed in the religious world at the
time Wesleyanism was first promulgated.
There was great disregard for the true
teachings of Christianity, and infidelity
was growing at a rapid rate. There was
degradation to an alarming extent among
all classes. This spirit of the times was
exerting influence upon the American
colonies, because whatever affected Eng
land was likewise felt in America In the
new country there was departure from
the faith of the forefathers, and the ideas
of Voltaire In France were gaining ground
here. But before infdelity had taken deep
root in the colonies the spirit of Methodism
was spread about over land and saved the
new republic from the tide of atheism.
'Wesleyanism has grown side by side
with this great nation" said the speaker
"Our war-stained planet never saw a more
bloody contest than that of the early six
ties, and no nation has seen such a COM
plete reconciliation after civil strife. The
territory is now four times as great as that
which Thomas Jefferson presided over at
han