Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, April 30, 1892, Page 9

TWELVE PAGES, - THE OMAHA FIRST YEAR WESLEY'SFOLLOWERS | Quadrenuial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Opens Tomorrow. TWENTY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GREAT GATHERING Legislation to Be Enacted for Over Five Million Ohurch Members, ‘N'ISTORY OF THE WESLEY MOVEMENT Suceess of the Church in the Nation, State and City, SKETCHES OF THE CHURCH BISHOPS Growth of the Auxiliary Organizations— Important Matters to e Considered by the Conference—List of the Dele- gaten—Tomorrow's Irogr Tho twenty-first quadreanial session of the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church opens iu this city Monday. To ity deliberations tho eyes of tho Metho- distic world will be turned for the next thirty days. It is the supreme lawgiving body of a great denomination, The session will at tract to this city many of tho most notatle men of the church, Delegates from the four quarters of the globo will take part in the deliberations and become the chosen guests of the good people of Omaha, 'The capacity of the hotels and the generous hos- pitality of citizens will be taxed in tho enter- tament of the throng of ministerial and lay doiegates, dignitaries of the church and interested visitors, many of whom are alroady horo, The proceedings of the general conference will bo watched with great interest by Christians of aill douominations. A retro spective view of tho origin of the Methodist church, its founders and its great living lights is hero presented and will doubtless ve read with fnterest at this time. The Cor WhR 15 @ Methodist general or quadren- nial conference! ‘The word ‘“‘conference” in the Methodist Eplscopal chureh is of frequent uso. It 1s applied to the various meetings of represcn- tative men of the chureb, both of a local aud general nature, ‘The first conference with which a member of the Methodist Episcoval church is likely to becomo familiar, 15 calied the quarterly conference. That is the meeting of the offi- cial members of each congregution at stated periods, and not less than four times each year. At these quarterly conferences the presiding elder 1s the presiding ofticer. The financial, social and religious coudition of the congregation aro discussed, and local preachers or exhorters are licensed, if there be any worthy applicants, and the gencral wellfare of the people of that particular con- gregation is considered, Prosiding elders are appointed by the bisbops. They are what might be called diocesan bishops. In the lauguage of the old timo circuit rider they are ‘‘bobtailed bishops.” The district or territory over which the presiding elder usually has superintendency comprises anywhere from ten to twenty-five active preachers and their congregations. ‘The next conference to be noted 1s the dis- trict conference, which usually meets at least twice a year and is composed of the pastors in one presiding elder’s district. Then comes the annual conference, which probavly interests both pastor and people more than any conference of the church. An- nual conferences aro composed of the minis. ters and presiding elders within a certain ter- ritory, They usually contain from eighty to 800 mimsters, In Neoraska, for instance, there are three annial conferences—the Ne- braska, North Nebraska and Western Ne- braska. There are over 100 annual confer. ence in e United States. Once in four years, just preceding the genoral or quadren unial conference, thore is of laymen’s un- naal conference, held in connection with cach of tho annual conferences of tho minis- ters for tho purpose of electing lay delegates to tho general conference, But lay delogates navo o voice in the annual or aistrict con- ferences. The annual coufercnces are pre- sided over by the bishops, the work of hold- ing th conferences in all parts of the worla baving been divided up among the Dishops of the church at tne beginning of each haif year, To the annval conferences the mivisters are amenable, from it he re- ceives his autbority and mission to preach, and by tho aunual conferenco ho may be transferred to other fields, Each annual conference, onco in four years, elects delegates to the general or quadren: mal conference, which is the highest and tho law making body of the church, The ratic of representation in the general conference is one delegato for cach forty-five members of the annual conferences. 1la this general confer- ence there are about 590 delegates, They represent every annual conference of tho Methodist Episcopal church in the world today, being about 115 conferences 1n all, They ropresent a membership of about 2,500,000. But this is not all. Methodism means a groat deal more thau this, There are a dozen religious boaies which belong to the great Methodist family and claim John Wesley as their head. Tho present gather- ing In Omaha represents only the Metbodist Episcopal chureh, which is the American branch of Mothodism, and which is today tho most powerful branch of all denomina- tions springing from the Wesley movement, But 1n addition to the 2,500,000 members of the Methodist Episcopal church there Is the Methodist Episcopal Church South with 1,200,000 membars, the three branches of the African Methodist Episcopal churcn with @ total membership of 1,085,000. In round uvumbers the actyal membership of the Moth- odist churehies of America Is sbout 5,400,000, representing & population of about 15,060,000, or nearly ove-filth of the eutire population. Old World Mothodism, ‘Tne Methodist Episcopal church has a con- siderable foothold in many of the countries of the old worla but earlier churches that spraug from the Wesley movemeut ure in the ascendoucy there as i In Kurope tho British Wesleyans, the Irish Méthodists, the Methodist New Co wection, the Primitive Methodist tho United Metnodist Froe chureh, the Independent Methoaist church, tho Wes- leyan feform Union, the French Methodists and others have & membership of more than s million. In Asia, Africa, India, Australia aud in fact all over the known worla Meth- odism has spread in sume form and today the BgErogate of iis actual membership is piaced At about 7,000,000, and the number of people un the fage of tle globe unaer Methodistic intluenve und education is placed by compe. mt compilers of statistics at about 25,000,- erence. iuaddition to the delegates from overy state in tho union the following countrics are Also represented at this general conference in Omuba: Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Africa, India, Japan, Chi and Mexico. All other deuom nations belonging to the great Wesleyan faith have sent tratérnal deleyates, #0 that all the European nations where the Wesleyan eburch or the Methodist have a foot hold are represented here, Wark of the Conference. Woat will this geoeral conference do! It will bear and consider reports from the vari- ous auxiliary organizations of the church,the wissionury socicty, the Freedman's Ald sud outhera Education society, the publishing | houses and official papers connected with the chureh, the Epworth League and ail otuer | branches of the work. It will consider de- | sirable changes that may bo sugzested with | regard to church government and may make | some slterations touching the length “of the | itinerant preacher's term of abor in one field. The vital points in the work of the gonerai conferenco are deliberations upon the missionary, church extension, educational and publishing interests, The question of admittiog womon as delegates to the goncral conforence gatherings will probably be con- sidered in some form, but owing to the fact that this would require a change in the or- ganic law and constitution of the church it wiil be impossiblo for this gereral confereiico to make the change, It would require the con- current vote of three-fourths of the mem- bers of the annual conforences and ~that has not been secured. The question of fixing a limit to the bishop's torm of office and the ro organization of tho missionary society iuto two separate bodies will also be considerea. T'hie question of electing additional bishops will also come betoro tho gathering and tuo regular quadrennisl election of the oficial cditors and secretarios for tho auxihary de- partments of the church will bring about somo earnest discussion- The sessions will bo held daily in Boyd's New theater beginning at 9 a.m. and end- ingat1 p. m. Committee work will be done in the afternoon und and mass meetings in the interest of the auxiliary d>partments of the church will be held in ihe evening at the Exposition hall and ut the First Methodist church. All these meotings will be free to visitors, The confereuce will last throu the entire month of Ma; HISTORY OF Parentage, E 1 and Woaderful Work of the Great Reformer. ‘The birth of John Wesley, at worth, Eagland in yuue, 1703, has proven to ba one of the important bingoes in ths history of human events, 1t would, of course, be perfoctly absurd for one to uttempt anything like a history of Methodism or a comprehensive account of Johin Wesley's lifo work in a brief newspa- per article. But a few of the more impor- tant events, some of the conspicaous mile- posts of Mothodism along the way from the birth of the great reformer down to the present time will be presented here chiefly for the benefic of thoso who have never read a history of Meth- odism or *ho life of Jonn Wesley. JONN Wi Tt is & well known historical fact that at the time John Wesley was born, and during the greater portion of kis life, the state of morals in England was exceedingly lux. It was a sporting, godless age when both the Catholicand tho Church of Ingland ap- peared to have drifted into the coldest and most listless sort of formality. ‘There waro many pious peoplo in that age but they were largely of a timid, trembling or indiffercnt race of worshippers, ‘They wero cither afraia to denounco sin in high places or they deliberately und contertedly winked at it. Church worship had, for the most vart, be- come a parfunctory sortof duty devoid of real meaning or spirit, while people generaliy wero given up to ung dliness and lived only for frolic and fun. Jobn Wesley's father, Samuel Wesloy, was a ministor connected with the established church of England. He was rector of the Epworth church, a parish that afforded him a small income, from which he managed to save enough to send his sons, John and Charles, to school at Ox- ford. Samuel Wesloy was' o rigidly pious man with somo marked eccentricities and a positive vein of poetry runming through nis nature. Tne family “stock, clear back to Samuel Wesley's ‘great granafather, had been distinguished for piety, intelligence ana independenco of thought and ac. ton. Some of the Wesley’s long before John Wesley’s fatber was born, had renounced the established church and had joined the Puritans and received severe per secution for it. But Sawuel Wesloy had no sympathy with non-conformity. Ho was intensely loyal to both church und state. This loyalty was carried to such an extent that he parted with his wifo for one year becauso she would not say “amen’’ when bo had comvleted a very carnest prayer oo behalf of the king. The difticulty arose over the fact that his wife did not like tha title, “'prince of Orange for one oceunying the throne. “If that bo the case,” Samuel Wesley re- plied, “wo must part, for if we have two kings we must 'have two beds. They scparated for ono year, and at the expiration of that time the king had died, Queen Anie came 1o tho throne and both Samuel Wesley and his estimable wife could pray for her both long ana fervently, so ho returned homo una they continued to livo serenely together. Samuel Wesiey believed firmly in the ul mato revival of real religion in the estab- lished church, ‘‘He steady, the Christian faith will surely rovive,” he said to his sous, Charles and John, *You will seo it though 1 may not.”" John Wesley's mother, Susanna Weslo; was @ woman of exrtsordinary characte Her father, Dr, Samuel Aunnesley, was a d tinguished non-conformist minister and suf- fered a good aeal of persecution, Miss Aopesley was thoroughly cducated and marriea Samuel Wesley when sho was nineteon years old, as one historian puts it, “ono of the completost charactors, moral and intellectual, tobe found in tha bistory of her sex.” Dr. Adam Clarke said- in speaking of John \\'u\le{‘n mother: “Such o woman, take her all 10 sll, U have not read of, bor with her equal have I been ac- quunted.” ‘The children of Susanna and Samuel Wes- ley begun their education at home under the personal direction of their worthy mother, Mvrs. Wesley, although loyal to the church, was liberal enough to have charity and con- sideration for the non-conformists, and in the absence of her husband she opened the rectory to her ueighbors aud conducted religious services herself by reading ser- mons, prayers and religious con- versations, Her busband, the rector was horritied at the innovation, but she re- plied that no worldly conversation was per- mitted at tho = meetugs and she believed that much good would re- sult from such efforts, if properly di- rected. Susanua Wesley continued these moetings at the reciory until sometbing like a rovival of religious interest mude s ap- pearsnce and the parish clerk, who bad been accustomed to the dead formality of the es- tablished cburch, all his hife became alarmed and wrote to Samuel Wesley to hurry bhome and stay the disorder. One writer in refer- ring o this suys that “Susanna Wesley was shupig oue of the coruer stones of future Methogism. John Wesley's Education, At the age of 11 John Wesley was placea under the care of Dr. Walker, an eminent scholar, aud in three years, by close applica- ion, be was fitted for Cbrist Chureb, Ox- ford. Here be pursued his studies under the direction of Dr, Wigan. The budding re- former was of & gay and witty turn of wiud, but gradually became serious and scholarly us he advanced in learning. He was voted for the clegance and classic smoothness of bis composition. He began to stady aiviuity and s00n founa that the accepted authors of tho day upon “Rules of Holy Living" snd kinared topies did not eelncide with own 'DAIiLy BEE. SATUR ideas of such things. Long andjearnest | discussions Arose over these matters between John Wesloy and his parents. He was finally ordained dencon iu' 1325 by Dr. Potter, then bishop of Oxford. In Mareh, ho was clected fellow of Lincoln col: lego, an nppointment of considerable bonor und profit. He returned to Epworth 10 as- | sist his father in preaching and othor duties of the parish, In September of tho samo year he returned to Oxford and was soon chosen Greek lecturer and moderator of the clussics at a littlo past the ago of 23 and not yet advancea to the master's degree. But e mind began to advanco along roligious lines very rapidly about this time, and his father being in tiexd of an_assistant in tho capacity of & _curate, ho accepted the posi- tion und roturnod to Bpworth, To 1724 ho was induciea Into the ofice of pricst and was cailed back to Oxford by tho rector of tho college. His brother Charles was then at schoul at Oxford nnd the joined hands in the search after knowledge and the fight against infidelity, With Mr. Whitfield and others they agrecd to meet and read divinity on Sunday ovenings. It was not long until sy became kuown as tho “Holy club” among the students of Oxford. A rudo youth of Cirist chureh, observiag the exact rogularity of thair lives aud studies, characterized them s “Methodists in allu- 8100 to a class of ancient physicians distin- guished by that name. The titie meant to crush tho littly ization, but it only popularized telped mightily to_immortalize tlo DAY M( voung men who were the objects of intended ridicule. Charles Wosley was five years younger than his browncr John, and received his primary education at Westminster, He fin- ally entered Oxford, became a student of di- vinity and graduated for the ministry. He seemed o inherit the poetic nature of his father, and at an early age bezan to write re- li:tous poems. He made bis name immortal by writing many of the hymns that are sung by all the Protestant churches of the pres- ent day. George Whitfield, one of the great contem- poraucous preachers, with John Wesley, was eloven years younger than the founder of Methodism and after a hard strugglo with poverty succeeded in gaining an education at Oxford, where he becams imbucd with much the same spirit that 1os- sessed John Wesloy, viz: A desire to arouse the world to a deeper sense of the reality of the Ctristian religion. After tho Weslays left college, Whitfield bLecame the ruling spirit of the “*Holy ctub.” The Trip to Amerlea, In October, 1735, John and Charles Wesley left England for America, wheie John was to take charge of tnhe (Georgia colony as a missionary. They did not succeed well among the settlers and Indiaus, They were too rigid and grave to suit tho surroundings and after a little more than a year they roturned to Encland. The experienco of the trip to America was a val uable one to both Jonn and Charles. Thoy learned important lessons in human nature among the emigrauts they met on ship- board, and the aborizines with whom they came in contact in Georgia, In the meantime Whittield kad completed his vollege course and gone out preaching filled with the spiritual fine of the Holy club, John Wesley saw the wonderful effect of Whitfiela's preaching, ond realizod that he, himself, nad 1ot eaough of the divine spirit within." He prayed for a more complete consecration to_the cause of (od, and both he and his brother Charles soon feit their nearts trangely warmed” with an inward zeal and fire which pusued them on 1n the work of a&rousing listless pecple to the need of salvation, Whitfielo and the two Waesleys were thor- oughly converted anew tothe tremendous reality and importancs cf the Christian reli- gion and thon the real work of establishing the great Methodist church bogan, although not one of the three favored the idea, at that time, of starting a new sect. The three zeal- ous young men went forth together, preach- ing in the large cities of Eagland to the greatest crowds that had ever been known to attend church of any kind. In London they held little “oxperience mectings,” composed of small bands of scekers after light, at which they confessed to each other their faults and prayed for one acother, Herethey organized a society whioh has been generally regarded as the origin of Methodism. . Mr., Wesley, however, states in one of his ser- mons on Methodism that it had its origin at three different periods. *“I'he first rise of Mcthodism,” he says, “was in No- vember, when four of us met together at Oxford. The second was at Savannab in April, 1736, when twenty or thirty persons met at my house. The last was av London,on this day, May 1, 1738, when forty or fifty of us agreed to weet together every Wednesday evening to engage in conversation, singing and praying.” "It will be obscrved that this latter date, May 1, is tho date upon which the general conterenco is always opened. And now the rupture between the Wesievs and toeir associate Whitfield on the one hand and the estavlished church on the other, hud to come, The young men were too enthusiastic for the cola, formality and stately precision of the church peoplo of that day and generation, so the churches were closed against them. Some of tho bishopsund parish priests in the ostablished church were generous enough to call the Wesley brothers and Mr, Whitficld crazy, while others believed them to be mis- chicf ‘makers. They were still admitted to a few churches here and there but gradually tholines were being drawn tighter against them. 1t was not the intention of Jolin Wes- ley or his nssociates to start a now sect, they were intended to awaken a spirit of holiness and religious zeal within the established church, - But the church was in love with its spiritual ~ stupor and the youug men were cast out, A few of the rectors in Lon- don and in the smaller towns of Kuglaud were favorable 10 the new movement, and some of tho churches were still open to tham, But the field was necessarily circumscribed by reason of their being excluded from most of the churches, Whitfleld to the Front. Here again came in the bold, common sense of Whitfield. He was the Peter of the trio. He began to preack inthe open air, and the crowds that thronged to bear him weve something unheard of 1n the history of religious work. Both Joun and Charley Wesley hesitated for a time aud doubted the expeaiency of open air meetings, but they wera soon convinced oy the extra- ordinary results of Whitfield's open air ef- forts in Liverpool and other cities. Finally Jobn Wesley beguin to holds open air mectin His first wad in the city of Bristodl an's the result was a confirmation of Whitfieldm sagacity and practical conmon sense, Fro.e tue time the open-air meetings begun t je new movement became irresistible. Peop d flocked o the street corners, to the fields ang public squares to hear the new gospel, au f bundreds were converted to the religion o Christ as expounded by Mr, Whittield and John and Charles Wesloy, ‘'he extraordinary executive ability of John Wesley now came iuto play, Whittield could attract the multiwude und sead convie- tion to the hearts of thousands, but he was not to be compared with Johu Wesley as an organizer, Wesley suw that since they had been shut out of the estublished church they must provide some sort of orgauization to hold the people together. A soclety was organized in Londou and one in Bristol and the corner stone of the first Methodist churcn over erccted was laid at Bristol on Muy 12, 1739, The work now bezaa to spread in every di- rection. Hundreds and thousands of people flocked o the staudard of the new crusade against sin and the burning question was “*\What shall be done wiih the multitudes!" Chupels bad w be built and wisisters had to e provided. for eveu now some of the lay men begar 10 exbort and Whitfleld and Charles Wesley particularly cried out agniost that. There was enough of the old estab- lished church in them yot to make them thiuk that noue butordained winisters should stand up in 8 boly place o preach the gospel For & time uy preaching was discouraged, And then came disagreements and separations be- tween Jobn Wesley and the Moraviaps, and the Calvinists, and finully Mr, Wesley saw that 1t would be advisable to appoint devout and plous laymen to act as the leaders of the various congregations, In some instanc these laymen proved to be a detriment rather thao & lielp and fillod the minds of the people with uncertainty and distrust, but, again, in other lustauces where the selections were practical particularly field, Mr, in thore arose London, to Lo RNING fortunate, wonderful amount of zood. one man whom Wosiey Maxfield not only | but begad fo Wesley becamo alarmed &t this and hastened on to stop it, out taking the advico | APRIL 30 the laymen did a In ihe caso of inted, Mr. Mix- qufte & commotion. his cougregation preach. John of his good mother he décided to note the re- sults a little beforo Iaying disapproval upon Maxheld’s w vy hand of vk, The he sult was that Mr, Wésidy became thoroug! convine: 'd_that Maxfield was just as truly called of God to proach as he was himself. And that was the real origin of lay preach ive, which has been oue of the chict corner stones On went in tho great temple of Methodism. the great. crusade. Wesley and s followers were frequently mobbed and abused by the howling, hooting populace in the lacie citiss of Kagland and lreland, but thoy moved screnely on fast purpose fixed were labo 10 their minds, ng for tho good of a sinful and keeping one stead- They thoughtless people, who failed for a time to comprehond tho real spirit tuat prompted tho reformation. Tt i the early church not pessible in limited spaceto follow through all 1ts stroggles and triumphs, but suffice 1t to say that Joun Wesley rkers and rope and America until at be saw the church which deatl, March 2,1 continued to organizo spread the gospsl through his band of the timo of he had founded,emoraciue atotal memovership of 78,400 people with tho and had attended the conferenc up to the timo of his death, ears beforo John Weslo He had established more than twenty 20 traveling preachers, conference system zealously Whittield died He preached 18,000 sermons,while John Wes ley preached aud wrote over after his return from the age of 88, in the ministry. memboered that widesproal haviog When tho fuct 15 r ho religious 2,000 sermons He diea at G4 yeal America, spent such & with- aroused movement out the assistanca of state. patronage or the sympathy or suppart of. peoplo cf rank or title, the movement must be considered one of the most remarkable in tho history of ro- ligion. Another romarkable fact connected with nis work was the complete revolution of sen- timent that took place. Hundreds of churcnes that wero closed agaiust him in 1738 wero thrown open to lum in_the closing years of his life, and ho was besought to occupy them for the purpose of prenching upon publi chari visited Fulmouth, the event said : On_ August 17, | gland, aud speaking of ‘“Che last timo I was here, ), Mr. Wes above forty years ago, Lwas taken prisoner by an inmense mob. gnping and roaring like lions; but hoiv 15 the tide turned! High and low now lined the street from one end of the town to the other, out of stark love, gaping aud staring as if the king were going by.” METHODIST BISHOP! Eighteen Distinguished Men Who Are at the Head of the Chur The Methodist Episcopal church in Amar- ica has had fort, -six bishops since the church was organizad on this side of the At- lantic, This weludes t three ordained for special work in india, Affica and Malaysia. Dr. Thomas Coke was:the first bishop of the Methodist church in Ameri ordained by John Wesloy fn 1734, He was and sent ca, to this country to tule chirgo of the churct.es then springing up. Bishpp Coke was author. ized by Weslby to ordaiz Francis Asbury as his assistant, and thus Francis Asbury be came the second Mothodist bishop o1 Amer- ican soil. The bishops of tha Mathouaist church are not contined o any proscrived tervitory oF 5ate as 1n wamy other churchas. They have an episeopal residence, but their work uipy také” thearto aay part of the civilized world. They meet taice each year and parcel ofit the work fo the, best zdvan- tage, and when that is done tktey hold an- other semi:annual conference. The mission- ary bishops, those who have charge of the work in Africa and lndin, are an oxception to the rule, however. They artend only to the work in: their special territory and are not clothed with episcopal authority outside of that territory. ‘The bishops are -elected for life or so long as their genduct proves to bo exemplary. As the ‘work number of bishops is likely to increuse. iucreases tho Au presen tLere are eighteen. Bishop Thomad Bowman, Bishop Thomas the senior bishop of Bowman, D.D., LL.D the Methodist Epis pal church, is a native of Berwick, Pu., and was born in July, 1817, Wilbraham and Cazenovia academies and afterward graduated at Dickenson college with first honors in 18] He entered the mimstry in 1839, Bishop Bowman was ordained by Bishop Waugh in Baltimore and became a mem- ber of tho Baltimore conferenc Ho was for ten years presidont of the Asbury univer- sity of Indiana, In all” the positions which Bishop Bow- man has filled ho bas ability and fidelity to church, av He attended school BISHOP BOWMAN. displayed exceptional the interests of the ‘The degree of D.D. was conferred on tiim vy the Ohio Wesleyan university. He was the first of the bisuops elected at the conference of 1572, He was marriod July 13, 1841, to Miss Ma- tilda Hartman of York, Pa. iaence is St. Louis, s ofticial res. Bishop Randoiph S, Foster. Bishop Randolph S. Foster, D. D, LL. D.,was bornin Williamsburg,Clermont coun- ty.Ohio, Fobruary 22, 1520, He was educated at Augusta college, Ientucky, and entered upon tho work of cightecnth year. tho ministry In his He was rcceived lnto the Onbio conference and was a wember of the BISHOP FOSTER. Drew theological 1850, when Dr. John semis conference from 837 to 1850. Later e was transferred to the New York con- ference,and again to the New York last onference, Ior ree years Lo was resident of the orthwestern uni- ersity,and was also elected president of Troy univorsity, "“'which honor he de- ned. Ho becamo n 1868, and in MdClintock died, Dr, Foster became president of tbat 1nstitution, He received the deg from the Ohio Wesls L.D. from Northwostern mlvlrlll{. Foster is the author of several im) works upou religious ects, Miley in 1852, Boston, Mass, His af A. M. and D. D, an uoiversity, and L. Bishop portant nd ecclesiastical sub- He was warried to Miss Sarah A, opiscapal residence is Bishop Stephen M Merrill, Bishop Stephen M. Merrill, D.D., is a native ot Jefferson counmty, Ohio, where he was porn September 10, 1525, moved subsequently to Greenfleld, In 1842 be united with the October 31, 1825, church, and in 1545 was liconsed to preach, He entered the Ohlo conference in 1840 and met with great success from the very beginning of his pastoral work, In 1864 Le was bon- ored witk the degree of A. M. by the Indi- any Asbury univer- sity. In the general conference of 1868 he distinguishod him- self as a debator of exceptional ability and was elected to the editorsbip of the Western Curistian Advocate. Bisho ‘His parents 0., on BISHOP MERRILL. In 1572 he was elected bishop. Merrill 1s considered one of the most forcivle and lucid writors in the Metl odist AGES. AWELVE P church today. His oMclal residence is Chl- cago, Nishop Edward G, Andrews, Bishop Edward G. Andre D.D. born in New Hartford, Oneida county York, August 7, 1825, He united with the church ia childhood, He graduated from tho Wesleyan university of Ohio in 1547 and was admitted into the Oncida confer. ence the following yenr. Ho was ordain od deacon by Bishop Jaynes and elder by Bishop Scott. F'rom 1854 10 1864 ho was connected with the Onoida seminary, after which he again entered the minis o was connccted with tho New York Fast con ference and preach- ed 1n_ Stamford, Conn., Brooklyn, Y. While pastor of DISHOP ANDREWS. theBrooklyn church Dr. Audrews was elected bishop at the con- ferepce held in New York City in 1 . ths episcopul duties have called him to travel ex- tensively in foroign lands. Mo roceived tho dogreo of D.1. and A, M. from the Weslovan university and D.D. from Gonoseo colloge. His marriage to Miss Susan M. Hotehkiss took piace at Cheshiro, Conn., August 7, 1851, His ofticial residence is New York city. was New Bishop Henry W, Warren, Bishop Honry W. Warren, .10, was born January 4, 1831, at Williamsburg, Mass. he was educated at Wilbraham, Mass,, and at the Woslevan uni- versity. Ho gradu- ated from the lutter institution in 1853, and during the next L0 yoars he was pro- fessor of nutural sci- cnce at Amenia sem- wnary,Now York, and professor of ancient Inniuagesin the Wes- leyan academy, Wil- braham, Ma In 1855 ho eatered the Now England confer- once, His superior ability as a preacher soon gave bim d tinction. In 1871 the Arch Strect BISHOP WARR! he was assi church, Philadelphia, Pa. Three years later he was transferrad to tho Now York conferenco and stationed at the . Brooklyn, After thres years in Brooklyn he was azain sent to the Arch Street, Philadelphia, church aad thence to the Spring Garden Street church inthe same city. In 1380 ho was eclected bishop by the conference which met n Brooklyn. Wesleyan university conferred upon him the deeree of A. B. and Dickenson coliego that of D.D. Bishop Warren is a profound scholar and writes a good deal for scientitic and veligious publications. His eplscopal residence is Denver Bishop Cyrus D, Foss, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D. D., a native of New York. being born in Kin ton in January 17, 1834 He became cou- vinced at an early age that he should preach ¥ the gospel, and after graduating from the Wesleyan universi- ty, and spending the three years in th Amenia sominary as vrofessor and prin- cipal, he entered the New York cenfer- encoe. Two years later he was trans- ferred to the New York Kast confer- ence, and was sta- tioned at tho IMeot sircet, Brooklyn (‘lhurrh. hI"rnm lhllx; time on he occupie SHOP FOS Annd'lig’nslll'l‘)i‘ifi&Nfl\v York and Brook lyn, Ho was elected president of the Wesleyan university in 1875. The university was very prosperous under his mansgem In 1850 0 was olected bishop. The Weslevan uni- versity houored hun with tho acgreo of D. D. and that of L. L. D. was bestowed by Cornell college. Bishop Ioss was married in1 Mary Bradley, who died in 1860, and in 1565 he married Miss Ameha Robertson of Peekskill, N. Y. His official residence is Philadelpnia, Bishop John F. Hurst. Bisbop John I, Hust, D.D,, [ D., was born in Dorchester county, Maryland, August 17, 1834, He was graduated from Dickenson college 1n 1854, aud for two years was a teacher in Hedding institute, after which he went abroaa to travel and complete his studies ut the universities of Hzlle and Heidelburg. In 1559 he was married to Catherine Eliza- beth L.a Mont. He entered Newark conference in 1858, aud was elected principal of the theological depart- ment of the Mission institute at Breman, Gerigauy, continu- § ing in this oftice after its removal to Fraukfort-on-tho Main. In 1871 ho became profezsor of historical theology in Drow Theolog inary, and succeedea Bishop Foster as pri dent of the institution the following vear, He met with success in conducting the af- fairs of the seminury, und in 1580 he was elected bishop. Bishop Hurst 1s author of a very able work called **a History of Ration- alism’ and eoveral other works of high erit. He received the degree of D.D. from Dicken- son college and that of LIL.D. from the In- diana Asbury university. s episcopul resi- dence is Washington, D. C Bishop Willlam X, Ni Bishop William X. Nindo, D.D., LL.D,,was born in Cortland, N. Y, 42, and is the son of a preacher, He was educated at the Wesleyan university, from which institution ho was graduated in 1855, In tue followiag year he joined the Black Iiver conference, - where he filled sov- eral important pul- pits. In 1561 he be- camo pastor of Trin- ity chureh, Cicin- natl, In 1570 he was pastor of Central church, Detroit, the leading Mothodist church of the city. Having demon- stratea the fact that he possessed excep- tioual ability in the educatioual line, he was elecied to the chair of Practical Theology in Garrett Biblical” institute in BISHOP NINDI 1874, Six years later ho was made prosident of the same institu- uon. Bishop Ninde made & tour of Europe and 1he old world in 1865-4 and wrote a scries of very able let'ers to the church parers. He received the degrees of D, 1., LL.D. from the Wesleyan university, He was elected bishop in 1884, His residence is Topoka, Kan, Bishop Willard F. Mallallou, Bishop Willard ¥, Mallalieu, D.D, is of Huguenct and Puritan descent. He was boro at Sutton, Worces- ter ecounty, Massa- chusetts, December 11, 1828, His early education was re- celved at the com- manschool i d Wilbraham acad- emy. He afterward (ruduuu-d from the Wesleyan univer- sity. He entered the w England con- erence in 1855 and remaiued steadily ing toe conference until' 158%, when be be. came presiding elder of the Boston dis- trict. In 1852 he was called to the bighest BISHOP MALLALIEU, Pposition in the church, being elected bishop LL. D., | ¢ by the general conferonce of that year. He | has been a prolitic writer upon témperance and kindred top! His ofticial residence 18 New Orleans, Bishop John M. Bishop John M. Walden, D, was born in Lobanon, | ruary, 1831, and spont the carly of bis lifo on A farm. io graduate from Farmers’ colloge in 1852, and was 1m. ™~ mediately appointed to a tutorship, and two yewrs later be camo interested in journalism. Heo was a memver of the stato legislature and was elected state superintendent of public instruction. 10 was licensed as alocal proacher n 1851, and in 1858 ho was admnted into the conference. It was not long before ho narose into a place of promiuence, and was elected sec BISTOP WALDEN. rotary of the West era Frocdmen’s Aid’ society, and continved 10 hold that position until the Freedmen's Ald society was organized, and of which ho was one of its principal pil and beeamo its first corresponding secretary. In 1868 ho was clected ngent of the Western book con- cern, He coutinued to hold that vosition until 1884, when he was elected to the episcopacy. Bishop Waldon wasa promin ent member of tho ecumenical conference of 1851 hela i London, His oficial vesidence is Clucinnati. Bishop Charles H. Bishop ‘Charles H. Fowler, D.D,, LL.D,, was born iu Burtord, Canada, August 1 1837, At an carly ago his parents removed to lilinois, whore the young man who was to such un active part in church matters od his educa- tion, beginningatthe Rock River semi- and afterw Yracuso univer- u rradunt- ing at Genesce col- lego in 1850. His intention was to study law but before the first year of law study had elapsed ke became couvinced that the ministry was the proper work 7 for bim and be imme. diately entered Gar- rott Biblical iusti- tute,graduatingfrom piISHOP FOWLER. that iustitution in 1861, Ho entered tho ministry at once, and immediately rose ‘o prominence, filling four of the leading pul- pits in Chicago the full term, and in succes sion. In 1866 ho was clected to the presidency of the Northwestern university, but declined the honor. He was again eclected to the same position in 1870, and _nceepted. He filled this responsiblo position for four yiurs, when he was clected editor of the Christian Advocate. 1n 1534 he was clected bishop. His ofticial residence is San Fran- cisco, Walden. D, O, L. D, Fob part owler, Bishop Willinm Taylor, Bishop William T was born . Virginia Baltimoro con After serving a number of 7 succoss he was seut to * Prancisco 1o take up the missionary work, which he did with great suceess until 1849-6. - He thou traveled for several years in the eastern states oand Canada, and was then sent to Austra- lia. After three years of work in Australia he was assigned to take cbarge of tho mis- fouary work in Africa,where he met with great success. He thien spent sev- eral years in revival work in England and Scotland and later went to Indis and founded a BISIOP TAYLOR. self-supporting col ony at Bomoay. His success in the mission ficld being so pronounced 1t was natural that the conferenco should select him ns the mis- sionary bishop and ho was accordingl: clected to fill that important oftice in 1558 His outhority as a bisuop extends only over tko territory to which ho is assigned, whi is Africa. His adcress is St. Paul de'I West Coast of Africa. Bishop 3 Bishop James N born in IS4, with Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, D.D., New Jersey and i 3 Howas cducated at the school at Princeton ana studica for a time in the office of Prederick T I resident Arthu He waos admitted 10 ar in 1858 and practiced law about throe years, In 18G1 be became couvineed that his talents shoult bo differently directed nud be cn- tered the Methodist mimstry. His first appointnent was at Newark Station. La- ter he filled tho oul- f pi ot Hudsou City, Jersey City, and New York. Ho was elected presiding el- der in 1850 of the Newark district. In 1551 ho was clected BISHOP FITZGERALD, vecording ~ secretary of tho Missionary society of tho Méthodist church, This important position he continued to fill unuil 1554, when he was elected to tho epis- copacy of thechurch, During the eighteon years of nis ministry he evinced remarkable avility as a pulpit orator and successful pas tor. Bishop Fitzgerald is tall, angular and powerful in physique. Ho is & mau of great firmness of cnaracter and is caim and col- lected in the most intense discussion. His well balanced, judicial mind enables him 1o command a eroat denl of influercs in a deiib erative body. His episcopal residence is Minaeapolis, Mian, John Heyl Vincent, Bishop Jobhn Heyl Viacent, D.D,, L,L.D. was born in Tuscalooss, Ala., Keofuary 28 1832, His parents moved, in 1S, o Northumberlanyg county, Ponnsy i vauia, and the youvg man ' veceived” his early education ot Milton ana Lewis. burg academies, This preliminary — educa- tion was followod by 8 course at tho New ark Weslosun insti- tute. Hoe was li- 1o exhort in and as a local preacher in 18 Billea several app ments in _Pe BISHOP V ENT. vania aud N and, and was then transferred to the Kock' river conference in Iilinois, where he luborea until 1565, Hlling the leading [lm\p\!n in Joliet, Mouut Morri inlons, Rockfora and Chicago. At Galena General Grant was & member of Dr. Vincent's church. The bishop has several letters writton by General Grant be- fore he became famous on the ficld of battle. Dr. Vincent soon took @ Very browmi- nent placo amoug Sunday scnool work- ers in Chicago, and ac ed a reputation all over the country as & very succeseful Sun- day school leader. In 1566 ho was called to New York to take the lead in the Sunday School uniou work, In 1508 ho was elected by the general conferenco as editor of Sun- day school literature and corresponding sec- etury of the Sunday School Union andTract ciety. This position ne filled for sixteen years, aud his work in that fleld was particulurly successful and tended to advarce tue efficiency of the Sun- day schools all over the country. but the work for which Bishop Vincent is noted and justly celebrated began in 1874, when he and TWELVE PAGES. ™ UMBER 317, Lewis Miller, of Akron, O.. established the Chautauqua socioty at Chautauqus, N. Y, This litorary and semi-roligious society organ- izatfon has mot with remarkavlie popularity and there are now hundreds of branch as. somblics in this country. In Kurope and nearly all parts of tho civilizen world the Chautaugun idea is taking root. Bishop Viucent is chancelior of the Chautaugqua uni< versity which is the college department ot the Chautauqua work, Ho has travelod % great lands and has writton several very interest. ing books. His “Littio Footprints in Lor. elgn Lana Tho Modern Sunday School ““Ine Revival and after tho Roevival" a among somo of his happiest efforts, In the pulpit bie is one of the most interesting and fascinating speakers in tho country. Ho has lectured extensively both in this country and abroad and is universally successtul. He posseses o raro combination of talent. A successful pastor, an accomplished scholar, & versatile author and tho foundor of n great educational movement that is destined - to ronch distant gencrations and shapo tha thought and character of the p after the first promotor of the mo passed from among the sons of men, ficial residence 1s Buffalo, N. Y. Bishop Tsane Wilson Joyee, Bishop Tsaae Wilson Joyee, . 1), is n na- tive of Ohin, Ho is of Irish ‘ancestry and is a man of medium height and & pleasing, ex- pressive face. Atthe ago of 10 ho uniteq with the church and in 1850 ho was ad- mitted into the min. istry in tho uorth- west Indiana confer- ence. I'rom the beginning of his minstry he was placed in_{mportant fields and met the requirements with Positivo success. At Greencastlo, ind., tho seat of DePaw university, ho met with exceptionally bappy results. By appointment of the bishiops he Was sent, mianon sover in 1886, to represent thoe Methodist ISpiscopal churell at a conferance of the Mothodiss church of Canada, His peculiar fitness for this position made tho selection of the bish~ ops & very wise one. Dr. Jovee oecupied some of tho loading Methodist pulpits in Cin- cinnati from 1880 to 1888 and his work in that city was grandly successful. In 1558 ho was elected bishop of tho church of his choico and bas borne bis sharo of the burdens that have been placed upon the shoulders of the emscopacy with becoming diliponce and for- tude. His oflcial residence Is Chatianooga, 'enn. deal in foreign His of- Tshop James M. Thoburn, Bishop James M. Thoburn, D.1). was born rear St. Clursville, O., March 7, 1836, Ho is of Scotch-lrish parentago and in early lifo he displayea thoso heroie and manly churac- teristics in securing lls education that laia 52 the foundation for hard und successtul work in uiter years. Being left fatherless ho started out to fuco tho battles of lite alone, and by hard work and ap- plication he took full course at Alle- ghany college, grad- uating in 1857, He entered the minis- try and soon became convinced tbat he should devole Lis time and talonts to He sailed for Calcutta in 1856, having re- ceived & commission to labor in the mission fields of India. In thoso needy fields he spent the better part of his life and his suc- cess has been quito remarkable. He has been ono of tho chief inspirations to tha church in urging on tho mission work, He was eclected missionary bishop for Indis in 1888, His ofticial resiaenco is Calcutta, Bishop Danlel Ayers Goodscll, Bishop_ Daniel Ayers Goodsell, D.D., was born at Newburg, Oranco county, N. Y. le is the son of a Methodist minister. Bishon Goodsell received tis education at New York university and joined the New York 1 conferenco in N Although he received mauny flattering prop- ositions from other conferences Dr. Gooasell confined his ministerial labors al- most exclusively to the conferonce where he began his ministry. He filled 7 important pulpits in Connecticut o nd Brooklyn. After about sixteen yeavs of faithful work in the ministry, during i which time 1o filled the position of secre of the New York East conference, he wus olected editorof Zion's Herald. But before ho assumed tho dutics of this im- portant position, however, he was clected secretary of the Board of Education of the Mothodist Episcopul church and en- terea upou the duties of that vosition in July, 1587, He was a member of the general conferences of 1570, 1850 and 1888, at the lat- ter of which ho was elected bishop. e has passed avery busy life and one that hus been crowned with v gratifying results, Bishop Gooasell is o careful student, n wise, judicious man in the viork of the episcopacy and a powerful pulpit orator. Physically Bishop Goodsell is of heroic stature.” He 13 over six feet in beight, broud shouldered and massive in overy proportion. He is a strong man, mentally, physically, intellectually and kpiritually,” and is now in the prime of life. His ofticial residence 18 Fort Worth, Tex. Bishop Jol Bishop Joln I’bilip Newman, was vorn in New York City & 1526, At the age of 16 he became a member of the Mcthodist Episcopal church, His acadamic educalion was secured at Cazenovia seminary, New York. In 1545, at tno age of 23, hie entered upon the active work of the ministry a8 o travel- ing preacher. His first work was 10 jection with tho edia conference. Seven years later he was trunsferred to roy conference. After filling several pulpits with success in that conferen Dr. Newmauu was 8- signed 1o Bedford Stroet Methodist piscopal church, New York City. In the spring of 1585 he went abroad and BISHOP NEWMAN. spenta yecar lravel- iug through Kurope, Italy and Palestice. He wrote letters to 1 he Methodist which attract- ed general attention. His studies iu lome and Pulestine wereespacially vaiuable, When Dr. Newman returned Harper Bros, pub- lished Lis work caliod “From Dan to Heer- sheba.” This book is sull regurded as an authority awong biblical students. Iu 1862-3 he was ‘astor of the Washiugton Square Methodist church of New York City, He was then sent oy Bishop Awmes 10 reorganize the chureh in Louisiana, Texas and Missis- ipol. He founded an orphan asylum, & uni- rsity and bewun the publication of the Southwestern Christiun Advocate. Between tho years 1560 and 1574 he was three times elected chaplain of the United States senate, io the spring of 1573 Dr, Nuwmun made a tour of the world under ap- neut of Geperal Grant. His commer- | reports were very highly estecmed. On his return he was agaiu assigued Lo the Metropolitan church, Wastiogtcn. I 16577 he was transferrcd 10 the Central chureh, New York City. As a result of Lis last tour around the world Harper Brotners published a volume by Dr. Newman, called “Habylon and Nineveh,” which seeured for Dr. New- mau & membership in the Biblical Archae. ological snciety of London. He reccived the degree LI.D. from the Grant Memorial university, After publisuiug sevcisl im- portant works bho sgsin weul N e wisistry, fliog importaut puls Phillp Newman, D.D,, LL.D., eptember 1,