The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-10-16
METHODETS AT
BIRTHPLACE.
STRAWBRIDGE MEMORIAL UNVEILED
UNDER AUSPICES OF MARYLAND
METHODIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THOUSAND PERSONS REPRESENTING
THREE BRANCHES OF DENOMINA-
TONS PAY TRIBUTE-CHEERS FOR
UNITED CHURCH.

Methodist Episcopalians, Methodist
Protestants and Southern Methodists
of the city and state united as one
body, yesterday journeyed 70 Carroll
county, the cradle of American
Methodism, and there at the shrines
Of its heroes and historic places OF
worship paid loyal tributes to their
memories. These points Of interest
included the old oak tree under which
Robert Strawbridge, the first Metho-
dist preacher, held meetings a cen
tury and a half ago; the Oldest Meth
odist meeting house in America, and
to the memory of Mr.. Strawbrdge
himself
The pilgrimage marked the sesqut-
centennial Of the origin Of Method
ism in America and was given under
the auspices of the Maryland Meth
odist Historical Society, of which
Rev. DIR. John F. Goucher is at the
head. "A conservative estimate placed
the number Of pilgrims at 1000, and
representing all three branches of
Methodism in the state and many
other parts OF the country. The pill
grims left Baltimore early in the
morning, reached this city at 9.15
o'clock and half an hour later be-
gan the journey to the historic places
in the history of Methodism, which
lay between this place and New
Windsor.
Besides the 100 or more who came
from Baltimore on the train, there
were at least 100 who made the en-
tire trip from this city in automo-
biles and teams. The remainder Of
the pilgrims were furnished from the
surrounding country, Frederick, Hag-
erstown, Union Bridge, Mount Airy,
Washington and Georgetown. There
were almost as many women in the
party as there were men and in all
the addresses of the day the women
were characterized as having done as
much for the advancement of Meth
odism in America as the men. This
was especially true in the speeches of
Rev DR.. John 8. Bowers, of the
Methodist Protestant Church and
Bishop Earl Cranston, Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church.
The first stop made by the pilgrims
was at the old Stone Chapel on the
New Windsor Circuit of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church and of which
Rev. J. r. Marsh is pastor. II was
near this site, under large oak,
that Robert Strawbridge conducted
meetings for a long time. The orig
inal chapel was erected in 1888 and
was rebuilt in 1880. The tree was cut
down about six years ago while yet
Ia good condition and it was convert
ed into various relics, many of which
have found their way into possession
OF the leading dignitaries Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. One Of
these relics was displayed yesterday
in the chapel. 1t was a handsome
pulpit chair with silver plate On its
back telling of its historic value.
George N. Numsen, of Baltimore,
presided at the meeting there. The
speakers were ex-Mayor Thomas G..
Hayes and Thomas ". Ivey, editor OF
the Christian Advocate, Nashville,
Tenn. 1t was significant fact that
in every one of the addresses during
the day, the spirit of unity prevailed
and in the address at the final service
OF the day, Bishop Cranston made the
startling prediction that within the
next three years a joint commission
Of the three Methodist churches would
be appointed for the purpose of bring
ing about a union OF the three ASbur-
ian Methodisms.
At the conclusion OF DR.. Ivey's ad-
dress the pilgrimage moved On to the
John Evans House which came into
the possession of the American Meth
odist Historical Society. The first
pilgrimage to that famous Strawbridge
region was made in October, 1894. AT
that time Mr.. William Yohn, the own
er, with his family, was living in the
Evans House Mr.. Yohn had built
handsome home several hundred feet
distant from the old house, and was
occupying his modern dwelling, sold
the other property to Mr.. George W.
Albaugh, a progressive citizen Of
this city, and great-grandson of John
Evans, for $100, who presented it to
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
At the Evans House Rev. DIR. John
S. Bowers presided at the service, and
Rev. Dr. ". $. Bevard, OF New York,
made the address. He made strong
appeal for modern methods ia the
treatment of the church problems Of
today. He claimed that many Of the
present-day ministers are afraid to
do things because of the censure that
might be heaped upon them.
The next place to be visited was
Bethel Church, where dinner was
served. This Is another OF the his
toric old edifices In that section. 1t
is located about 3 miles, from this
city. The pilgrims were joined here
by O. large delegation from Washing
ton, who motored over to finish the
Members of the Pilgrim
age committee and the speakers were
the guests of Daniel Baker at
specially-prepared feast, served in
the church. Mr.. Baker presided at
the services after dinner. Rev. DIR.
Thomas Fl. Lewis, president OF the
Western Maryland College, spoke on
the type Of Methodism that does
things and lauded the life and mem
Dry of the object Of the celebration.
The singing at all the services was
conducted by Rev. Harry d. Mitchell,
of the Forest Park Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
The pilgrims moved on from here
70 the last stop, the scene OF the un-
yelling OF a marble tablet on the site
Of the first Methodist meeting house
in America. The land Is at present |
owned by David Stem, who donated
ID for this purpose, and the tablet
IrrA h1 Mo- Mnfh