In this Book, the Author has tried to provide a synopsis of a tour of inspection, conducted by S. Earl Taylor with John F. Goucher, named as Methodist Centenary. The inspection was into the working of World Churches so as to emphasize them to undertake more seriously the Christian possibilities of the Generation.
The Book is the summation of three sections. The first section outlines the areas covered by the inspection team, that interalia includes; the then territories of Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the United States. The intervening section provides an overview of the structure, kind of works done by the Boards and Commissions formed during the Methodist Centenary. Also, it gives out a basic idea in relation to the work that can be done by the World Churches in Foreign Missions in the years to roll by. The final section covers the subjects of operation reports and approved needs of the financial activities of the concerned Boards and Commissions.
It also provides information about a report that was submitted by the sub-committees after detailed discussions and deliberations, to the Committee of Twenty-five on January 11, 1923. This composite report got unanimously approved and thus, this historic event according to the Authoris characterized by a sense of Deep Devotion, High Obligation, and Kingdom Responsibility.
The first of its kind, a basic reference for Students and Researchers including Christian Laity, Church Clergies and Missionaries; encompassing various subjects like Religion, History, Cultural Studies and Women Studies.
Ralph E. Diffendorfer (1879-1951) was an American clergyman. He completed his education at Ohio Wesleyan University, Drew Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. His professional curriculum vitae is vast but broadly it includes; Secretary of the Missionary Education Movement in the United States and Canada, Associate Secretary of the Centenary Commission of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension, Director of the Home Missions Survey of the Inter-Church World Movement and Secretary of the Department of Education of the Committee on Conservation and Advance of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago.
Methodism is on the march! This is normal. A militant church does not stand still. Wesley marshaled forces for a fresh crusade. Asbury outdistanced his reli- gious compeers. Simpson and McCabe challenged to larger advance. Thoburn, Bashford, Lewis thought in terms of Christ's continental conquests.
God gave to S. Earl Taylor, one of the secretaries of the Board of Foreign Missions, a vision of the greater work He had for the people called Methodists. After a tour of inspection to many parts of the world in company with John F. Goucher and other leaders, Taylor challenged the church to undertake more seriously the Christian possibilities of the generation.
This movement has been known as the Methodist Centenary. Three Methodisms united: the Methodist Church of Canada, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and our own. This was the pioneer of other similar movements which were initiated almost simultaneously by several Protestant denominations.
Authorized by the General Conference at Saratoga Springs, in 1916, a purposeful celebration of one hundred years of our missionary effort was proposed. Pursuant to this action, a World Program Commit- tee of one hundred was constituted and met in significant session at Niagara Falls, September 17-19, 1917.
The Centenary Program was based on world surveys in both home and foreign fields revealing needs of a five-year period making it necessary to secure $80,000,000. The reconstruction work following the World War added $25,000,000. The inclusion of the other general benevolent boards increased the total to $115,000,000. This huge sum was intensively solicited on a five-year basis, and was for the most part generously subscribed in a campaign which, culminating May 31, 1919, was a marvel to the religious and financial world.
In 1920, the General Conference changed the organization to the Council of Boards of Benevolence with the Committee on Conservation and Advance as its active promotional agent. Headquarters were established in Chicago. Up to April 1, 1923, a total of $55,878,201.78 has been collected and paid to the various causes.
Midway of the Centenary period, November 15-17, 1921, a unique, unforgetable National Conference was held in Detroit. The call read "On the Highway of God we are: we pause not for repairs or adjustments, but to decide the direction of our going." "The World's Need and Our Reply" was the general theme.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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