The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-08
DR. TALMAGE'S SERMON.
BY THE REV. FRANK DE WITT rALMAee. D. D.

Los Angeles, Cal, May 1.-On the occd- sion of the assembling of the Methodist general conference of 1904 the preacher welcomes the delegates and points out the rise and growth of Methodism and the secret of it's far-reaching influence upon the religious world today. The text Is Ezekiel xvi. ', "I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field.
 Nearly twenty years ago I was with my father in a hotel in London when deputation of Methodist ministers and laymen waited on him. They said: Twill you not preach for us at least once be- fore you return to America? There are thousands and tens of thousands of peo- pie in London who have for years been readers of your sermons, and they want to hear your voice and touch your hand They have a right to make this demand You are part of them and we cannot go until you consent to preach at least once" We were on our way to the con- tinent to meet my mother and sisters, who had preceded us there some months before. No" answered my father. T cannot at the present time. I am men, tally and physically worn out. The doc tors have told me I must hold up. I am going to the continent. where my lips will be closed, because I do not under stand the French and the German lan- guages. But if you wish, I will preach for you when I return Where would you like to preach, doctor?' With that my father turned and said, "As l am to preach but once, have but one desire, and that is to preach In John Wesley's pulpit
 Why do you want to preach in City Road chapel?" I asked, after the dele- gation had departed. That church holds only a few hundred. Why not go to one of the great buildings, like Joseph Parkers church or Exeter hall, where you can have an audience of thousands of hearers?" Because" was the reply, q consider that City Road chapel is in some respects the most sa- cred spot in all Europe. That is the place where John Wesley is buried That is the pulpit from which went forth a mighty power which is felt in every land today. The influence of that pulpit is po- tent In every Methodist church and meet ing house and Sunday school the world over, affecting the lives of twenty-five millions of the human race, who every Lords day assembled under Methodist auspices to worship God and study His word. John Westley built City Road chapel. He spent the latter part of his stationary ministry in City Road chapel, and his presence is enshrined there"
 Wesley Everywhere Respected.
 Lord Macaulay. in one of his essays, declares that John Wesley had a greater natural genius for government than had Richelieu. The great historian believed that in these words he was giving the eminent divine the highest praise but could see that my fathers estimate far transcended that of Macaulay. and that he held Wesley in higher honor than that of any statesman, living or dead. The whole Christian world Is in accord in that estimate, and as 1t recognizes the achievements of the church which John Wesley founded it thanks and praises God for that beneficent life.
 The name of John Wesley is every where respected by the good and the true. Therefore is it to be wondered at that our people, no matter to what Pro- testant church they belonged, hailed with joyful acclaim the news that the Meth odist general conference of 1904 was to assemble in the City of the Angels? This conference opens it's sessions during the coming week. We, as people, look for ward to It's sessions with interest ana hope. We believe that by close touch this conference will bless all Protestant churches no matter to what denomina- tion they belong. Ii is appropriate on this Sabbath day to bid the in- coming delegates welcome It Is also ap- proprate to state some of the reasons why the little band of followers with which John Wesley surrounded himself has grown in numbers until today It out numbers in membership every other in- dividual Protestant church in America and in the world.
 First her genesis. In order to study the marvellous multiplying power of Methodism let us analyze the conditions attendant upon her birth. We must find upon what troublous waters her cradle was rocked and search out the place of her infancy. even as the Egyptian princess found future emancipator of the Hebrew race sleeping In a willow basket among the bullrushes of the river Nile Every great movement in history has been the product of the condition of the time of it's birth. God in His providence has ordained that the prevalence of un- righteousness in a nation shall so stir the souls of his people that they will gather in his name around the standard of some leader whom he raises up to wit ness for him.