ticipated by her founders. Numerous are the illustrations of modifications thus made and of new powers of activity thus evolved; but no one is of higher significance than the recent organization and phenomenal success of the Epworth League, whose generous and timely provisions for the young people contemplate that they be instructed in the doctrines, trained in the usages, infused with the genius, and fired with the glorious history of our beloved Methodism, and so carry forward a "Christianity in earnest" into the dawn and into the day of the twentieth century.

III.

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE EPWORTH LEAGUE WHERE ANOTHER SOCIETY EXISTS.

THE problem before us is one demanding practical solution; for already young people's societies existed in many churches,

A practical problem.

under various forms and names, before the Epworth League was born. Long ago the Lyceum, recommended by the Discipline, and devoted chiefly to literary and educational work, met with the favor of both pastor and young people, and was established in many churches.

Later the Oxford League, designed by Bishop Vincent, and indorsed and supported by the Sunday-School Union, became more widely popular, developing a helpful literature, enrolling five hundred chapters, and numbering nearly twenty thousand young Flourishing people. The Methodist Alliance, cieties already flourishing chiefly in the West, claimed, as we have already shown, about the same number. The Young People's

Methodist SO

existing.

Union also flourished, while the Christian League rallied under its banners thousands of the young people of New England. Thus the Epworth League, an organization planned by the representatives of the five great societies for Methodist young people, and designed for the unification of all in form and name and spirit, entering upon its exalted mission, finds already in existence many noble societies strongly intrenched in the affections of a numerous membership, abiding in loyalty to Christ and to Methodism, and recognized as efficient agencies in the work for which they were instituted.

Now, it was the earnest hope of those interested in the new society that all these organizations might soon be transformed into Epworth Leagues, if possible. Change of name is not absolutely required, if only the society will come into close affiliation with the general office at New York. It ought to be easy, however, for any one of these organizations, being purely Methodistic and denominational, to change its form slightly and adopt the name and plan of the Epworth League; that this is very desirable needs no argument.

But there are still other young people's societies that are undenominational, and these have their local

King's Daugh

ters.

Christian Endeavor.

organi

zations in our churches, as, for example, the societies of King's Daughters and Christian Endeavor. Now, shall these societies be given up? By no means, except in case of purely voluntary surrender in preference for the complete plans of the new society. While the Epworth League is not second to these in any respect as an agency for the religicus instruction and training of the young, and has many other features which these have not, they ought to be encouraged, since, besides being in themselves noble associations, they form a link between Methodism and other denominations. Nor should they be asked to change their

names.

It cannot be denied, however, that the young people in these societies ought to be working in harmony with so broad and worthy a Methodist young people's society as the Epworth League. Many King's Daughters love the King none the less because they love the Methodist Episcopal Church in which

they have been reared. These want to be numbered in the same army and march under the same banner with other young people of Methodism. Many members of Christian Endeavor societies love Methodism and want to be trained in her doctrines and usages and catch her denominational spirit. Many members of these noble fellowships are asking that room shall be made for them in the Epworth League and that at the same time in some way they may preserve their organization as King's Daughters and Christian Endeavor societies.

lution.

One solution of the problem would be this; namely, Establish the Epworth, let all the young people join it, and if a A practical soChristian Endeavor or a King's Daughters society already exist, let that society continue as such, and take the department of Christian work, and thus be responsible for the devotional meeting Sunday evening and all other items in that department. The department of literary work might also arrange with that society to be responsible for the programme of the monthly meeting for Bible study.

If there be a rare instance where both a