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C is a comparative stranger or needs the attention of a leader to keep him in the way, and he is assigned to the department of Christian. work. In this way every name is carefully canvassed. When the work is completed it will probably be found that many more are assigned to the department of Christian work than to any other, and that in number they grade down from No. 1 to No. 6. This is permissible and sometimes is desirable, and hence the number of members in each department is left for the officers at various times to determine according to their membership and the needs of the League. Now and then it may be advisable to transfer a member from one depart ment to another. It is not desirable (it may sometimes be necessary when the membership is limited) to place any member in several of the departments. No one ought to be overburdened, and because a person is a good worker it is no reason why he should be permitted or compelled to do all. Every member ought to have a place and work to do, and the nearer this can be accomplished the stronger and the more prosperous the League will be. We will suppose that the assignment

of members to the various departments has been completed, approved by the League, and posted or framed so that all may look it over and consult it from time to time.

"How are the departments managed?

"This assignment to departments does not mean that the members of a given department are the only participants in the work detailed under that department. It means that these members are to study and plan these certain lines of work in which all members of the League are to participate. This distribution of work enlists more workers, systematizes the work, brings about more study and consideration of methods to be used, and accomplishes more. It generates its own enthusiasm and works from within out, and from the inIdividual to the mass. These department divisions of members are only large committees planning for all.

"Now out of the members of his department each officer selects a smaller committee of three or five. A still further division of members for work can now be made if desired. It is possible in this way to reach and interest every member of the League and to keep

every member in the line of duty. Department meetings now and then are of great value. With the above explanation and a careful study of the diagram and of Article IV of our Epworth League Constitution the theory of the new departure' can readily and easily be reduced to practice.

"The work that has been done, the interest that has been created, the enthusiasm that has been aroused augur well for the future of the Epworth League and of Methodism. Let us all be workers in His vineyard, 'laboring ever for Christ' and doing valiant service In his Name.'

A pledge is provided, but its adoption is made voluntary with the local badges, leagues. A series of excellent

Pledge, litera-
ture,
etc.

reading courses is recommended but not required. Besides a weekly issue of The Epworth Herald, the official organ, the League has already a literature of its own quite extensive, comprising leaflets, tracts, topics for young people's meetings, plans for uniform daily Bible-readings, etc.

Charters, badges, colors, and all the paraphernalia of such societies are furnished. A

junior league preparatory to the Epworth, and admirably adapted to boys and girls, is embraced in the general plan. The Epworth League, believed by many to be a child of Providence, begins its eventful career with Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D., as Corresponding Secretary, and Robert R. Doherty, Ph.D., as Recording Secretary, and in the fulfillment of its mission as a denominational young people's society aims to bring together in one organization, fire with holy zeal, and train for holy work the million and a half of young people to be found within the borders of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A lofty and noble aim indeed, and right royally has this new society set about its magnificent enterprise.

One feature of the Epworth League organization especially commendable is Flexible. its flexibility. It may be as well organized with ten members as with a thousand. The plan of the local constitution is remarkably comprehensive as regards lines of Comprehensive. work opening to young people, and is characterized with completeness of provision for the manifold nature of the young people themselves. The department of Christian work

provides for the religious nature, the literary department for the intellectual, the department of mercy and help for the social nature, and the department of entertainment for the sportive nature, while the departments of correspondence and finance are necessary for the proper business management of any such organization. Spiritual development, intellectual life, social fellowship, recreative amusement-these all appear in the generous provisions of the Epworth League, and all combine in the loving purpose of the Gospel to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." It is easy to see also that the several departments are essentially co-operCo-op ative. The more completely they are organized and enthusiastically operated the more fully will they aid each other and the general success of the League be secured.

Several depart

ments erative.

Biological science recognizes adaptation to

The biological

test.

environment as the test of true life. Methodism has vindicated her right to be, and has displayed her splendid vitality in a marvelous power of adjustment to conditions which could not have been an

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