ONE KINDRED YEARS OF METHODISM
(From The Charlotte Observer)
The history at Methodism in
America covering a period of
one hundred years is entertain
ingly recorded in the pages of
The Christian Advocate, pub
lished in New York, where it
was founded in 1826, the cen
tennial event being celebrat
ed by publication of a paper
which takes magazine form, and
one which must prove of ex
ceeding interest to Methodists
tiie country over. There isre
production of the original
"prospectus,” as well as of the
first page, and the historical
narrative carries the readers
from a description of New
York in 1826, through the va
rying and ever-improving for
tunes of the Methodist Church
up to the present tiine. Thirty
writers prominent in Methodist
activities contribute articles
which cover the development of
that Church through the cen
tury, in numbers, in discipline,
in education, in reforms and in
relief. To enjoy this Methodist
book to the full, one would have
to go into what the Catholics
call a “retreat” for a couple of
days and carry it with him for
close companionship. Not many
of the young folks of the pres
ent time have any idea of the
church customs existing in the
days of the forefathers. “Going
to church” is somewhat differ
ent in this day and time. The
people were stiff as ramrods and
the church decorum was in keep
ing. The discipline at the time,
" contained the fol
Let them sit apart in
churches.” The middle aisle, if
there was one, or a partition
half-way between the two aisles,
was a dividing line over which
neither sex dared trespass. If
in the .course of the services a
man ignorantly or intentionally
seated himself on the women’s
side, the sexton or one of the
trustees would go to him even
in the middle of the sermon and
ask him to go to his proper
nlace. me women’s side would
frequently be crowded while
there were vacant seats among
the men, but the rule must not
be relaxed. The husband and
wife could walk together to the
Churcn, but must then separate,
enter at different doors, get
seats perhaps in distant parts
of the house, and be seriously
annoyed in finding each other
at the close of the services, es
pecially in the evening.
The seats in the comers on
each side of the pulpit being
generally occupied by aged and
prominent members who re
sponded pretty heartily to the
services, these were known as
“Amen” comers. The congre
gations were generally large,
benches being often needed in
the aisles, and the pulpit stairs
and altars filled, and the kneel
ing board around the altar occu
pied by children.
The Methodists of that day
were plain in apparel. Many of
the men, especially the older
v, ones, wore straight coats and
'White cravats without any knots
in front. What were called
Quaker or coal-scuttle bonnets,
made of drab or black silk or
satin, were the head-gear of the
older sisters; the, younger wore
plain straw or other material, of
simple shape, and without flow
er or feather or bow or any rib
bon except what Was necessary
for ties. Simple neatness was
the general rule.
The church, itself, was differ
ent. At that time the popular
•' '-- n Vi vrrAn A
the pulpit and gallery fronts
and supporting columns was also
white. The seats were slate
colored or drab, or in some cases
a dark green with chocolate or
mahogany-colored trimmings on
the top. The floor was uncar
peted, sometimes sandedon the
altar and puljpit stairs there was
generally a plain carpet; - Light
was furnished by lamps in which
sperm oil was mimed. In the
altar were two settees, usually
wooden-seated, and a few chairs,
and a plain table, perhaps of
mahogany or cherry, as were
also the altar rail and book
board.
Dr. H. K. Carroll contributes
a story of the churches of a
hundred years ago, and from in
formation furnished it is appar
ent that there was about as
much quarreling over creedal
matters then as there is now.
“Differences in theological
thought,” he writes, “were to
divide the denominations, par
ticularly in Presbyterian and
Reformed, Baptist and other
groups, and by ecclesiastical and
disciplinary questions among
the Methodists, new denomina
tions were to come into exist
ence, such as the Disciples of
Christ, the Mormons and the
Adventists.” It was a period of
multiplication of new bodies,
many o± which had ho promise
of permanency. The religious
forms which first obtained in
America were brought over by
immigrants — Congregational,
Lutheran, Roman Catholic,
fethodist, German Evangelical,
Hebrew, Moravian, Swedenbor
fian, etc., together with the
Plymouth Brethren, the River
Brethren, the Seventh-Day Bap
;ist, the Schwenkfelders, the
Salvation Army, the Eastern
Dhurcnes, and others.
Churches of American origin,
lot including branches of de
lominational families or groups
ire Christadelphians, the Chris
;ian Connection, the Disciples of
Christ, Evangelical Church, for
nerly Evangelical Association,
Jnited brethren in Christ, 1800,
;he Latter-Day Saints, 1830,
Spiritualists, $848, the Churches
>f God, 1825, Church of Christ,
Scientist, 1879, Adventists,
[831.
There are fifteen Methodist
bodies in the United States,
these having >a membership of
8,200,000. In the Methodist
Episcopal Church, alone, there
are 5,137,251 members. There
are 20 Negro conferences, with
2,196. preachers and 344,064
members; this being an increase
over a century of 292,980 mem
bers.
Considering the fact that Ur.
Elbert Conover, who undertakes
narration of a hundred years of
Methodist church building, did
not come to Charlotte to make
a start, he soored measurably
good accomplishment. A pic
ture of what is taking place in
the Methodist church construc
tion in this city would tell the
story of what; has . been taking
place in that line the country
over. The cathedral structure
out in Dilworth and the $750,
000 structure going up on North
Tryon Street, > afford striking
contrasts to the houses of wor
ship used by Charlotte Meth
odists in years gone by. The
Broadway Temple, in New York,
and the Temple in Chicago, the
one a revenue producer in the
shape of an apartment building,
and the latter a revenue-produc
er in the shape of an office
building, are pointed out as ex
amples oi most marked depart
ure in the chfirch architecture
of the day.
Nor have the Methodists |
neglected education. They now!
maintain ten theological insti
tutions; 45 colleges and univer
sities; 59 classical seminaries.
The value of buildings and
grounds is estimated at. $52,
694,290, and with a total endow
ment of $48,887,602. Four
thousand one hundred and thir
ty-nine teachers are employed,
the student enrollment being
70,793. vVe are told that the re
sults of Methodist ventures in ed
ucation are large and important.
At first the primary purpose of
the schools and colleges was to
provide an educated ministry,
but they soon became sources
of leadership of varied types.
From them were graduated not
only ministers and missionaries*
but teachers, lawyers, physi
cians, writers and other men of
affairs. Education as conduct
ed by the church inevitably had
and continues to have momen
tous results in social and politi
cal life. What the frontier
States owe to the Methodist col
leges established in advance of
State Governments is beyond
estimation. The debt of the Ne
groes to the gallant teachers,
who opened schools in the South
almost as soon a* the war dosed
can never be measured. Their
debt is also the debt of the Na
tion, for a final solution of dan
gerous racial problems can be
found only in an education per
meated with the religion of
Christ.
NEGRO EXHIBIT A FEAT
URE OF THE SESQUI.
Phila., Pa., Sept. 13.—The
heavy downpour of rain for the
last thirty days has not daunted
the many thousands that visit
the Sesqui Centennial Interna
tional Exposition daily. Many
race men and women have reg
istered in the composite section
of Negro activities; " There is a
sp&tdm?cFvlSSsOr moremsee
ing this great modern spectacle.
The beautiful electric display at
night gives one the impression
of being in Fairyland.
The Fisk Quartette, which
pleased thousands of visitors
visiting the Negro section ter
minated their stay; but there is
a universal request for the re
turn of the singers. Miss Ah
bertha White, with her peerless
quintette, rendered a very cred
itable programme on September
3rd, assisted by Miss Lelia
Bowe, who read selections from
Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s works.
The cafeteria, under the di
rection of the Federation of Wo
men’s Clubs, is doing a S. RO.
business. The diet kitchen, in
the Palace of Agriculture, is al
so extensively patronized. Near
ly one hundred and fifty cases
have been treated in the Emer
gency Hospital Booth, under the
direction of Dr. John P. Turner,
the larger number of which were
white.
Preparations are under way
for the staging of ‘IHiawatha”
at a date to be set later.
Mr. J. C. Asbury, Director of
Negro Activities, is planning a
Fraternal and Military Day, to
bring to Philadelphia the fa
mous 15th regiment of New
York and> all the military com
panies associated with fraternal
organizations. , Besides prize
drills and athletic exercises, a
grand military ball is to be held
in the auditorium of the Exposi
tion wnic. will conclude the pro
gramme. Reservations for ac
commodations from all parts of
the country are being received
at headquarters,
Mr. r. lirant liiimore, cmei
clerk, has, succeeded Mr. T. J.
Galloway, who was Manager of
Exhibits.
The management requests any
information available in secur
ing exhibits along all lines and
from any section of the coun
try, including inventions* works
of art, historical works, litera
ture, and all lines of Negro de
velopment within the last 75
years. Prompt attention will
be given the above by address
ing all correspondence to Direc
tor of Exhibits Negro Activities,
Palace of Agriculture, Sesqui
Centenmai International Expo
sition, rniladelphia, Pa.
L. Downing, D. D.,
A. Savage, D. D., S.
tTHflter, P. C.
HOGRAM
UVOctober 13, 1926
M, Annual Sermon,
Collection,
Wgaday, October 14
9:00 St, M, Opening with
Prayer. |
Appointment of Committees—
Bills ana Overtures; Records of
Presbyteries; Judicial Business;
Leave Aosence; Resolutions
and Fittings; Place of Next
Meeting Minutes of General
Assemlm; Memorials, Deaths,
Devotions, Etc.
10:00ja. M. Reports of Stand
ing Cogjmittees on the Boards
af the Church:
Board* of National Missions,
Prof, ji D. Martin, Ph. D.,
1. Report of Synodical Exec
utive, Dk J. A. Savage.
2. Evangelism: Rev.. I. H.
Russell, ID. D., and Rev. L. B.
West, i
3. Division of Buildings and
Pwitetf^pev. H C. Miller.
Rev. A. B. McCoy, D. D.
5. Division of Missions for
Colored People: Rev. L. J. Mel
ton, D. D., Dr J. M. (Gaston,
Sec.-Treas.
6. Church Extension as Ap
plied to Town, Country Work
and Immigrants, Rev. H.
Wilson.
7. .Division of Schools and
Hospitals, (Cuba, Porto Rico,
Southern, etc.,) Mrs. H. L. Mc
Crorey.
12 to 12:30 P. M. Devotions.
2:00 P. M. Foreign Missions,
Rev. J. M. Morton, Chairman.
Program of Activities, etc,,
and Reports: Dr. J. A. Bonner,
Ch., Dr. C. J. Baker.
3:4o tJ. M. Christian Educa
tion: Rev. H. L. McCrbrey, D.
D., LL. D., Chairman.
4:46 P. M. Report of Commit
tee on Memorials.
Holy Communion.
Collection.
6:00 Jr. M. Adjournment.
7:30 P. M. Popular Meeting
by Women’s Synodical: Mrs. S.
J. H. Dillard, Presiding.
Collection.
Friday, October 15
9:00 A. M. Opening with
Prayer.
Reading of Minutes of Pre
vious Sessions.
10:00 A. M. Board of Relief
and Sttstentation: Rev. G, P.
Watkins, Chairman.
Program of Activities—New
Plan of Insurance, etc.
11:00 A. M. Report of Com
mittees.
12 to 12:30 P. M. Devotions.
R&C6SS*
1:80 P. M. Treasurer’s Re
port:
Bias Allowed.
Resolutions. '
Stated Clerk’s Report.
Unfinished Business.
New Business.
5 :00 P. M. Adjournment.
7:30 P. M. Popular Meeting.
Dr, John R. Mott, newly-elect
ed president of the Wofld’s Alli
ance of Y. M. C. As., returned to
the United States aboard the
S. S. Mauretania on September
the third.
A lowbrow is one who gets
the story; a highbrow is one
who concentrates on the au
thor’s style.—Washington Post.
tin m hr jo -
THE
LAND PRESBYTERY.
The Presbytery of McClel
land in its stated meeting con
vened with Mt. Pisgah church,
Laurens, S. C., September 2,
1926. The openihg sermon was
delivered by
D. D„
son was at his
ed his message
fellow Ministers. ___________
rang out clearly, distinctly and
forcibly, with Pauline eloquence,
which is characteristic of him
self. The doctor's sermon will
not be soon forgotten by his
hearers.
The Rev. 0. M. McAdams was
unanimously chosen Moderator
and Elder S. J. L. Patterson was
made clerk pro tem. Prof. Thom
as Sanders and Hon. A. C. Todd,
in a vary few but well chosen
words, brought sentiments of
welcome to the Presbytery in be
half of the citizens of Laurens.
The following named persons
were extended seats as corre
sponding nfembers: Rev. W. L,
Metz, D. D., Presbytery of At
lantic; Revs. G. W. Long, D. D.,
and G. T. Dillard, D. D., Pres
bytery of Fairfield; Revs. J. W.
Matthis; W. D. Hood, D. D., and
M. C. Cunningham, Tumbling
Shoals Baptist Association,* and
W. C. Crawford, D. D., Pied
mont A. M. E. Conference. The
Revs. Matthis, Hood and Craw
ford tendered timely remarks.
The Rev. B. H. McFadden
was nominated principal com
missioner and Elder G. W. Ma
rion was named the principal
lay commissioner to the next
Assembly.
The license of Mr, Guy Wil
liams, our local evangelist, was
renewed for twelve months.
The Rev. W. R. Coles, D. D.,
by ms own request, was put on
the honorably retired list and
the Rev. J. E. Jackson, D. D.,
by his own request, was granted
his letter of dismissal to the
Presbytery of Pittsburgh, Pa.
It was with great reluctance
that the Presbytery granted Dr.
Jackson’s letter of dismissal.
For fifteen years Dr. Jackson
has been a potent asset to the
Presbytery in all its delibera
tions. He is a clear and logical
thinner. His visions and judg
ments have always been re
spected by the members of Pres
bytery. His ability as a minis
ter of the gospel is unques
uonea. xjt. o acKauii guen w
Pittsburgh, Pa., November 1, to
take charge of the First Pres
byterian cnurch. May a kindly
Providence oiess and prosper
the Rev. Mr. Jackson in his
work on the field to which God
has called him is the fondest
hope of the Presbytery.
The chairmen on standing
committees on the Boards ren
dered splendid, well-written re
ports. All members of the Pres
bytery, save Dr. Coles, and a
goodly number of elders were
present.
The Woman's Presbyterial
Society, as usual, was given Fri
day evening for its popular
program. At 8 o’clock a very
excellent and spicy program was
rendereu uy members of the
Society. Mrs. J. H. Toatley, the
President, presided. Drs.
Young, Williams, Metz, Mc
Dowell and Dillard favored the
ladies with timely and encour
aging remarks. The Presbytery
is always glad to have the pres
ence of Dps. Dillard, Metz and
Long. Dr. Dillard was a char
ter member of McClelland Pres
bytery and its first Moderator
When the Presbytery was or
ganized at Laurens in 1885.
Dr. Metz enjoys tile fellow
ship of his friends in his for
mer Presbytery and thinks of
the days when he traveled over
the hills of McClelland Presby
tery as a Sabbath School Mis
sionary. Dr. a F, McDowell*
of all pres
n-. .• Stated Clark.
BENNETT COLLEGE FOE
President and a Capable Corps
of Negro Women Teachers
From the Leadiim1 Colleges
and Universities of the Coun
try to Offer Standard High
School, Junior College and
Teacher Training Courses.
Greensboro, N. C., Sept. 6.—
Announcement has been made
of the faculty of the new Ben
ties of the country, both colored
and white.
Bennett College is one of the
old colleges of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, having been
established in 1873. Announc
ing the change from a co-edu
cational school to a Woman’s
College, the Board, of which
Bishop Wilbur P. Thirkield is
chairman, said that the change
was made -to meet the need of a
high; grade Wotnan’s College
midway between Washington
and Atlanta. Bennett College
for women opened for registra
tion Monday, September 13,
1923.
The Faculty.
David D. Jones, B. A., Wes
leyan University, President;
Miss Theopbile J. Chambers, B.
A. , Morgan, Secretary, Commer
cial subjects; Miss Beulah D.
Clark, west Virginia Collegiate
Institute, Registrar-Librarian;
Miss S. Evelyn Hughes, B. A.,
B. Ptotu, Howard University,
Education mid Teacher-Train
ing; Miss Lottie Belle Tumley,
B. S., Northwestern, Biology and
English; Miss Miranda Mead*
dough, B. A„ Fisk, M. A. Colum
bia, History and Economics;
Miss Julia E. Bailey, B. S. How
ard, Chemistry said Physics;
Miss Kathleen Johnson, B. A.,
Howard, Mathematics and En
glish; Miss Ruth Howard, B_ S.,
Talladega, English and History;
Mrs. Lucille C. (Tarpley, B. A.,
Wiley, Latin; Miss Ajtona Trent,
B. A., Atlanta University, Mu
sic; Miss Maggie tl. Taylor,
Hampton, Supt of Jones Hall;
Mrs. Era V. HopeweH, Bennett
College, Suprintendent of Din
ing'Hall; Dr, C. C. Stewart, M.
D., College Physician.
“Many people are in the habit
of complaining bittariy of the
intrusion of the nejjjipaper re
porter into every n<M and corn
er of the State and eren into the
privacy of the home ; but in this
extreme publicity is really to be
found a new means pf social,
industrial, and governmmital re
forin and progress.”-—the late
Charles IV Eliot, p*i|ident eto
eritps# Harvard.
“WtP&eiii the great age of
transition frbrti the drudgery of
life to the enjoyment of life/’
-r-Henry Ford. ; 51 1