The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-12
Dr. Wells Speaks on
 Centenary Movement

At Highlands Methodist church Sunday morning Dr. Preston B. Wells preached very strong and interesting sermon, talk ing for his theme "The Centenary Move ment."
 Dr. Wells pronounced this activity the greatest movement of the centuries and took his text from the sgd chapter of Isaiah and the first verse. the lines being: Awake, awake, put on thy strength, o zion!"
 This subject" he said in part has reference to the centenary movement Of American Methodsm. At first glance it might seem to be a very broad state ment. for there have been many great movements in the history of the Christian church. A careful study. however. of the entire programme of this movement wifi more than justify one in speaking of it as the greatest movement of the cen turies. Behind it there has been d care ful survey of every mission field, wise planning, and the most thorough organ- ization. It seeks to strengthen every Methodist life and every Methodist church on this continent. It places the supreme emphasis on intercession. It asks for more money, and for more men and wom- en for the kingdom of God, than were ever asked for. In it's mighty sweep it includes the nations of the earth in it's programme. It comes at a time of crisis in the affairs of men, with it's message of redemption. The next two weeks will mark defeat or victory for this cam paign The failure of this great pro- gramme for world-uplft at this crisis in the history of the nations would be disastrous for the church and for the world
 What is this centenary movement? IL marks the close of a century Of organ ized effort by American Methodism. lt proposes to celebrate this centenary 1n d way commensurate with the strength of Methodsm It is our response to the appeal of world in anguish our an- swer to the challenge of a world in want.
 "There has never been a movement more providentally timed. It comes at the close of the world war when the very foundations of civilization have been shaken. Materialism and militarism have failed Unrest and anguish are on every side. The doors of all lands are open. The world cries for deliverance.
 Tn our plans for the evangelization Of tho world we have in past years to large extent left Europe out of our calcula- ticns The world situation of today shows that strategic importance of Europe in the programme for the evangeization or all nations. One of the missionary lead CTS of the church has recently said: We are seeing that the influence of Europe on the seething mass of the east IS far reaching Her commerce, colonies, liter ature, and the vast impact of her moral and social ideals are incalculable. An in. .mense ouckeninC of the evangelical faith of Europe is necessary to the ccln- plete evangelization of the east.
 Look at Europe herself her own nScd makes a stirring appeal. Her material needs are great; but vastly greater are her moral and spiritual needs. There IS confusion in every sphere Of life. In France alone there are over 3o,00o.0oo neo7 ple out of touch with the church. Bel pium and Italy have the same needs. The Protestant churches in these countries feeble before, are now almost helpless They cannot cope with the unusual eo7- ditions which they face today. The Meth odist centenary comes providentially at the time of Europe's crisis