Smyrna times., 1878-02-20
For the Smyrna Times.
Beckwith and Spedden's.

The charge of the Wilmington Confer
ence bearing the above name, embraces
that part of Dorchester county below the
town OF Cambridge, between the Great and
Little Choptank Rivers, the Chesapeake
Bay forming a southwest boundary. From
each of these rivers there are extending up
into the lands within, large and navigable
creeks upon which the farms border eX.
tending out TO the main roads which in
tersect each neck, the residences being
situated on or near the water. In addition
to the large yield of grain of various kinds
from the lands, there are the salt water
products, such as fish, oysters and wild
fowl, which afford to the inhabitants a very
choice living. The people are especially
noted for their hospitality, and possess
more of that, for which this Peninsula is
generally noted, than any portion of it
where our lot has heretofore been cast as
Methodist preacher. We came here two
years ago, were cordially received, and have
been kindly treated. A good number have
professed faith in Christ, and while, las is
too frequent the case) some have back
slidden, others, either on this or other adj
jacent Methodist charges are holding on.
Among the obstacles of hindrance that we
meet with here to a greater extent than in
charge being entirely IN the country, and the
unusually muddy roads and bad travelling
during the most of the year, except when
the farmers are very busily engaged in cul-
tivating or gathering their crops. Unfor-
tunately too, when the vote against the
selling OF liquor was taken here three years
ago 1t was lost by a small majority. Since
then liquor has been sold in our midst
greatly damaging to morals both at home
and within other ad jacent election districts
where its sale was voted down. Since the
present legislature has been in session.
petitions asking for an election before the
first OF next May to prevent further license,
have been circulated among both sexes and
signed by nearly all, even those who were
stroRgly in favor of license three years ago.
Indeed, little or no opposition either by
expression or petition has been manifested
10y those now engaged in the traffic. And
while the bill about to be introduced into
our Legislature, regulating the local option
question for the future NAV be good one,
yet we regard the part which prevents the
said election asked for, and permits the sale
of liquor within our election district year
longer than we anticipated, very unfortu
nate for us. But we hope for the general
good of all and bright future for Neck
district and for the church within heI
bounds. We are closing up our second
Conference year very pleasantly. Unfor
tunately our circuit has for years been re
ceiving missionary appropriation to assist
IN supporting the pastor. It's sudden with
drawal has been cheerfully acquiesced in
by the circuit generally, and they are in
creasng their subscriptions to raise the ad
dltional amount requisite for their pastor,
support-thus doing what many believe
now, they might have done in the year.
past. AT present our circuit is not very fai
behind in her finances, having made ;
special and successful effort to bring up tn,
arrears at the close Of a very able sermon
preached by our Presiding Elder, Rev.
Housh, at our last Quarterly Meeting or
the duty of . Ministerial support" Havin.
been very kindly treated by the people fol-
two years, we expect soon to part. not 81
tired of each other but what we will in til,
future be ready to meet again. We leav,
to our successor, delightful section o
country. ho>pitable people, two of among
the best country churches to preach in, Ia
new. tirst-claSs Estey organ in one) and
plain, but nice. comfortable parsonage
which has within the last few months beeI
thoroughly refurnished. May our futur
be as the past with whatever Improvement
the Bishop with his council may affix.
Feb. 18th. 1878. J. :. G.