founded in 1847. The theological School, Union Biblical Seminary, located at Dayton, O., was founded in 1871. The whole number of professors and teachers, according to the latest statistics, is 161; the whole number of students in attendance is 3089. Of the latter number 176, including 53 in the theological seminary, are in course of preparation for the ministry. Some of these institutions. possess valuable property, and are gradually building up helpful resources in endowment funds. The work of education commands much interest in the denomination, while the number of schools is felt to be too large to insure a good support. The General Conference exercises a supervision over the whole work through a board of education which it elects quadrennially. Only the theological seminary, however, is under its immediate control, through a board of trustees elected by the conference, all the other institutions being under the direction of the Annual Conferences.

5. Young People's Christian Union.

For many years past many of the local churches have had young people's societies. Gradually it came to be felt that some common bond of union between these societies might be made conducive to increased efficiency. Accordingly a general convention was called to assemble in Dayton, O., in June, 1890. A basis of union was agreed upon, and the desired organization put in good form. The name adopted was "The Young People's Christian Union of the United Brethren in Christ." The General Conference of 1893 gave the new organization cordial recognition, providing for it appropriate legislation, and directing that a weekly paper be issued from the publishing-house in its interest. The union embraces now, in the fourth year of its organization, over five hun

dred local societies, and a membership of about thirty-five thousand.

The officers of the general church boards are located in the publishing-house at Dayton, O., with the exception of the educational and seminary boards, whose headquarters are at the seminary.

6. Catholicity.

The United Brethren Church cherishes toward other bodies of the great Christian family a broadly catholic spirit. It coöperates readily and with the fullest heartiness in all general movements which engage the interest of other Christian bodies. In doctrinal position it is classed as Arminian. In general typical characteristics its place is found with the Methodist family of churches, and this fact has been courteously recognized by the leading Methodist bodies in the invitations extended to it to participate in their general or ecumenical councils. Yet, as has been seen in these pages, the church is in no sense an offshoot from the Methodist Episcopal Church, nor indeed was it formed through any schismatic movement from any source, but rather through a spontaneous and necessary movement under the manifest direction of the divine Spirit.

In spirit the church is earnest and hopeful, relying greatly on the direct offices of the Holy Spirit for its success. Its ministers generally are earnest toilers, who fulfill their office with much personal sacrifice. Revivals are largely encouraged, and the traditional prayer and experience meetings instituted by Bishop Otterbein are regularly sustained.

7. Personnel.

The necessary limitations of these pages have permitted but little reference to distinguished names in the denomination. The work performed and the results attained have

been presented as fully as space allowed, while the workers have been chiefly left out of view. And yet it seems scarcely just to dismiss this sketch without further mention of at least a few names of those who have rendered eminent service in building up the church to its present proportions. Among the earlier names that should have fuller recognition is that of Bishop Christian Newcomer, the immediate successor of Bishops Otterbein and Boehm, a man of the widest activity and most laborious service; as also George Adam Geeting, a preacher of brilliant talents and extensive labors. Among the bishops there followed such distinguished names as the elder and the younger Kumler, Russel, Glossbrenner, Hanby, Edwards, Markwood, Weaver, and Dickson, all of them men of power in the pulpit, and of abundant labors. The present bishops are Jonathan Weaver, D.D., bishop emeritus; E. B. Kephart, D.D., LL.D.; N. Castle, D.D.; J. W. Hott, D.D.; and J. S. Mills, D.D., Ph.D. In the missionary work of the church the name of D. K. Flickinger, D.D., holds high rank. Beginning as a missionary to western Africa, he was, in 1857, elected general missionary secretary. During twenty-eight years of service in this office, and four years afterward as missionary bishop, he crossed the ocean twenty-two times in the interest of the African missions. Among the names best known in the church is that of Rev. W. J. Shuey, for thirty years past the manager of the denominational publishing-house. Under his judicious direction the house has grown into solid strength, as already seen in this chapter. Among the editors, educators, and writers of the church many distinguished names appear, as also in the body of the ministry and laity, both of the past and present, but space forbids further mention of individual names.

CHAPTER VI.

CONCLUSION-RECENT HISTORY.

IT would not be proper to conclude this sketch without a brief reference to a chapter of recent history. The early attitude of the church with respect to secret societies has been alluded to in previous pages. For a long time a sentiment of opposition to such orders was almost unanimous, as was apparent from various votes taken in the General Conference at successive sessions, particularly during a period of some twenty-four years succeeding 1841. In that year, when a constitution was formed for the church, this sentiment was adopted into that instrument, connection of members of the church with secret orders being prohibited. The subject coming up frequently at General Conferences, almost a complete unity of sentiment was apparent until the session of 1869. During the quadrennium preceding this session more liberal views found encouragement, and about one fourth of the members were found favorable to a modification of the extreme position held by the church. In the succeeding conferences this sentiment showed steadily growing gains, until in the Conference of 1885 the majorities were so reversed that about two thirds of the members were found to be liberals. The predominating feeling among these, however, was not that of approval of secret orders, but they believed that liberty of conscience should be permitted to each person to determine for himself the question of connection or otherwise

with such orders, or that at least legislation on the subject should be less rigorous. Every session of the General Conference from 1869 to 1885 had been marked by heated discussions, and frequent amendments were made to the prohibitory rule adopted under the constitution to secure greater effectiveness. These debates became sharper in tone as it was found that the liberal sentiment was making gains in the church. The liberals, finding themselves at last so greatly in the majority, and believing that the general judgment of the church would fully sustain them, took measures looking toward amending the constitution, having this point and some other important matters in view, particularly that of securing lay representation in the General Conference. This form of representation had been introduced into the Annual Conferences a number of years previously. For its introduction into the General Conference an amendment to the constitution was necessary. The action taken by the General Conference, appointing a commission on amendment, provided also for the revision of the Confession of Faith. An account of the work of this commission, with the vote of the church at large upon the adoption of the amendments and the result of that vote, has been given in chapter iv., sections I and 2. It is sufficient to repeat here that after the fullest consideration and discussion upon the amendments for a period of nearly three years, the adoption of most of them was carried by an almost unanimous popular vote, while the one receiving the smallest support was carried by a much more than a two-thirds majority.

During the long discussion preceding the time of taking the vote the leaders of the radical party, that is, the party favoring extreme legislation on the secret society question, exerted themselves with much activity to check the advancing growth of liberal sentiment, and to hold the church