The Washington herald., 1913-10-25

enc place and with one purpose, is &
significant event in the latest history oi
the Methodist Episcopal Church. A
greater advance along all lines of Meth,
| odist Church work is the purpose of the
| first convention of the kind to meet ir
Indianapolis, October IS to 81. The mum.
Der of delegates at the first big gathering
of the early Christian Church at Jerusa,
lem, was very much smaller than this
Methodist convention, but before IL COM
| pleted its work just 1900 more had beer
| added 70 the number.
The reason for the success of that first
gathering was in the unanimity of spirit
with which the delegates considered the
particularly serious problem of their
time. They were of one mind. There
was no room for controversy OF any kind.
Controversy would have been disastrous
to their undertaking. The first church
had come to a crisis in its life. Some as
surance of the continued presence of
their Lord was needed. They must have
known that oneness of mind and reci-
procity Of spirit were essentials OF such
an assurance. Certainly they desired
very much to meet triumphantly the
crisis that had come and they believed
that 1t could not be met, IL their Loro
were not a part OF all their plans and
aspirations. The future of the church
depended upon ii.
The world that the early church con-
yention used to consider was very much
smaller than the world is now, but the
character and intensity OF the opposition
put on the church then a mighty task.
The problem Of today is more extensive
and particularly intensive. Organized
evil complicates it. Not only is evan
gelization to be extended. but the institu-
tions of life are to be changed.
The convention of Methodist men pro-
poses to face the whole situation in every
phase of it. as far as the Methodist part
of the recfama don OF the world Is con-
cerned. The question of stewardship for
the wealth in Methodist possession. edu-
cation and the Christianization of ma
tional life, the country church problem,
cooperation and unity, the leadership of
pastors, the saving Of the American city,
and business system, are among the
many subjects that are to be discussed
by the 1900 delegates.
1t is particularly urged by its promot-
ers that the convention become not an
end in itself, but that it may result in
widespread conviction on the part of ali
with reference to the Christianization of
life. AS at the first church convention
the young men saw visions, 1t Is hoped
that a larger outlook be given this gath
ering of men, so that it shall carry out
the spirit of the last command OF Christ
to his disciples. And ye shall be My
witnesses in Jerusalem uhe local COM
in all Judea and Samaria Cthe
and unto the uttermost parts
Of the earth (the foreign field)."
Washington, in addition to being rep
by Bishop Cranston. will have
seven lay delegates in attendance.
Task of Christendom.
The Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, OF
former Vice President of
the United States, will call the assembly
to order at $50 a. M, and introduce
Bishop David II. Moore. OF Indianapolis,
who will conduct the solemn service OF
which will open the con-
Vention.
our Great Commission" the theme of
he forenoon. will be developed by three
speakers. DR.. Robert Z. Speer, secretary
# the Presbyterian Board Of Foreign
will outline THE Central Task
If the Church of Christ; Bishop w. +.
of Chicago, will take up
'Methodism's Mission and Message" and
Bishop John L. Nuelsen, Of Zurich, will |
peak on ''Methodism's Achievements |
md Larger Opportunity"
In the afternoon Bishop Earl Cranston. |
If Washington, D. c., senior effective
member of the Board of Bishops, will |
# Oklahoma City, will lead the devotions.
rhe general subject of this session Is
The Call to Advance" which will be
presented in seven crisp addresses by
secretaries of the great
benevolent and missionary boards Of the
,hurch. The speakers are Drs. w. l. /
Haven, Edgar Blake, c. T. Wilson,
Thomas Nicholson. p ]. Maveety, Ward
7latt. and William F. Oldham. The OBJ
ect of this panoramic exhibit is to con-
ront the assembled representatives of
he church with the immediate and /
'ressing calls of the worlds need, and /
o lay the foundation for the conven-
ions constructive work.
In the evening Bishop John W. Hamil-
on. Of Boston, presiding, and Bishop
William Burt, of Buffalo. leading the
ervice of intercession. the subject will
e The City, Nation. and the World"
American Cities and the City of Cod
Fill be the topic of Bishop William F. Il
anderson, of Cincinnati. New Ameri- Il
ans for New America" will be treatedIl
y Bishop Edwin II. Hughes. of San |
francisco. and Bishop Homer C. Stuntz.
{ Buenos Ayres, who has jus. returned |,
rom participating in the centenary of i
Wesleyan Missions in London. will speak
n IAN Awakened World a Challenge |,
Dr. Methodist Mem Ii
What Is Methodist share.
The second days session will begin at (
80 a. m. Bishop c. W. Smith, of st. Il
ouis presiding. and Bishop Haphtali Z
uccock. OF Helena, conducting the devo- d
ons. The theme to which the program {