The Washington herald., 1909-05-15
EPWORTH LEAGUE
OBSERVES FOUNDING
Holds Annual Banquet in Me-
Kendree Church.
RAPID GROWTH RECoUNTED
Speakers Tell of Twenty Years De-
yeIopment of the Society, Which
Was Originally Intended to BE
Named "OxfOrd' Instead of "Ep-
worth"-CIeveIand the Birthplace.

With addresses on past accomplishments
and future efforts. the twentieth ami
versary banuqet Of Epworth League.
Washington district. was held last night
in the Sunday school room OF McKendree
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Nearly 90 men and women, representing
the branches OF the league throughout the
District Of Columbia, sat at the tables
Roses and garlsnds twined about the
dozen pillars OF the room and surrounding
the windows. ana gave an artistic garden
effect to the chamber. The dinner was
arranged and served by the women Of
the McKendree Church.
Rev. J. ". r. Sumwait was the toast
master. Frank 7. Israel. chairman OF the
banquet committee. made the address Of
welcome, which was followed. by q his
tory Of the work OF Epworth League IN
the District by a former district presi-
dent, J. Finney Engle. He gave remi-
niscences Of the early days Of the league
in Washington.
Naming the Society.
An interesting talk was given by Mrs.
II. B. MouIton. Of Hamline N z. Church,
/ in response 20 the toast. What's n a
name?" She spoke Of the organization
: Of the league in Cleveland twenty years
ago last night. when FIVE societies Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church united for
the purpose OF co-ordinating their efforts
In the upbuilding Of the denomination and
! the spreading OF the Christian religion at
home and abroad. She said that at the
first convention a speaker whose duty
/ IL vas 20 announce the name OF the new
organization as "Oxford3 made & slip OF
the tongue and gave the name "EpwOrth,
the home Of John Wesley A delegate
Immediately jumped 20 his feet and
/ moved that ~Epworth'' be used. and the
motion was unanimously carried
Referring 10 the life OF Christ. as an
example Of fidelity Of purpose and the de-
/ termination that Acknowledges no defeat.
Harry 1. Freer responded 10 the toast,
Activity" He declared that cesseless
effort was the price Of success in any
( organization hoping 70 further the work
/ Of a church IN the strengthening OF lis
parish and the widening OF its scope OF
( influence.
Mrs. E. z. Marshall, in anaIyzing the
/ qualities that make for successful mis-
sionary work. dwelt - the value OF
/ personal association and jntimRte con-
tact She declared that the best Of all
missionary work. and al the same time
the hardest. was that done in the family
circle, where the characters OF the chill
dren. who were soon 20 become active
participants IN the worlds affairs, were
formed.
alive Church" Desired.
The live church" was the subject OF
an address by Rev E c. Powers. pastor
Of Brookland Methodist Episcopal Church
He spoke in the highest terms Of the IN
Guence OF the Epworth League IN binding
together the parish and giving a com
runity interest that stimulated all pro-
gressive movements. The Epworth
League. he said. was a potent factor in
the making Of "a I've church" Another
factor. ne declared, was love, and a third
was youth.
In spite Of all the pessinism IN the
world ne said. 7 believe the young pee
pie are turning more and more 10 the
church. and I an happy 10 say that this
I is especially true Of the young people OF
Methodism-''
William 4. Norris. president OF the
Washington district, was called upon 20
give an impromptu talk He spoke Of the
outlook Of the league for the future. and
declared that when the next convention
met an announcement would be made
{ that the pledge Of the Washington dis
trict OF the league 20 raise $50 20 build
/ church in the Philippine Islands had
( been fulfIled 20 the last dollar The
movement was inaugurated about two
years ago. and three-auarters Of the sum
pledged has already been raised
l. l. Derrick, a former district presi-
{ dent announced events 70 be given by the
: league in the sumner, including a steam
( beat excursion and a lecture on the night
OF June l in the Metropolitan Memorial
VI E. Church by Frank r. Robertson on
+ the last days Of Messina.
i The officers Of the Washington district
OF the Epworth League are: President
/ William 4. Morris; first vice president.
( John z Fort; second vice president, Mrs
z. E Marshall; third vice president, Mrs.
I NJ NJ Mitchell; fourth vice president,
F Harry L. Freer; corresponding secretary,
F ". ?. CaIla-der; recording secretary,
+ Frank J. Metealf; treasurer, r C. Mori-
+ gle; junior superintendent, Mrs. Alice
I Hunter Haffey.