Smyrna times., 1884-03-12
The Wilmington Annual Confer
eQc6,


bury Church, Wilmington. Bishop
William L. Harris, d. D., LII. D., of
Ohio, who presides over the session,
called the Conference to order and for
mally opened it with devotional exer-
cises. ]. D. Rigg, of Smyrna, was
elected secretary of the Conference and
the Revs. E. H. Nelson, E. P. Aldred
and E. G. McNichol were appointed
assistants. The usual standing COM
mittees were appointed by the Bishops.
An election for stewards resulted in
the selection of John France, Whining
ton District; o. S. Walton, Easton /;
j. A. Brindle, Dover; Edward Davis,
Salisbury.
A report, setting forth that the ap-
portionment of the Wilmington Con-
ference toward paying the expenses of
the General Conference was $500, was
submitted. Reports were presented
which showed that Wilmington district
had collected $4,000 for conference pur-
poses. Supernumerary relations were
established with Rev. John Shilling, on
account of ill health, and $246 raised
for his relief.
In the afternoon statistical session
was held, and under the call for gen.
eral statistics the various pastors
handed in reports of their work dur
ing the year, giving all details as to
Sunday schools, church matters, etc.
An eloquent centenary address was
delivered by the Rev. B. F. Price,
who claimed that the Asbury Church
was the historical alma mater of Amer
can Methodism. The city of New
York he claimed as the birth place of
American Methodism, through Wes-
ley; but, in Delaware, it gained its foot
hold through Bishop Asbury. Rev. T.
H. Haines delivered the missionary
sermon in the evening.
The report of Presiding Elder Hill Of
the Wilmington district, showed that
several churches conducted successful
revivals during the year. Improve
ments of an extensive nature are re-
ported to a number of churches and the
debt created thereby is being removed.
Two new churches and two new par
sonages have been built during the
year. There are now 6,24S members of
church in the district, and 965 proba-
tioners. Greater accuracy in reports
and care of children are suggested.
The Rev. T. E. Martindale, Presid-
ing Elder of the Easton District, re-
ported most prosperous year among
his people. Unusual displays of power
were witnessed in many of the
churches. There were $50 conversions
during the year. The work ofincreas-
ing the apportionment for ministerial
support continues, and the average sal
airy of married preachers exclusive of
house rent), is $3.50 against 500 two
years ago. No charge has reduced the
salary of its minister. But slight def
eiencies in the salaries of pastors were
reported. The general benevolences of
the church have received increased at
tention. Disciplinary provisions were
only partially carried out, The district
responded literally to the call for help
in paying for the Metropolitan Church.
Much progress is reported in mat
ters of church buildings and improve
ments. Three new churches were built
during the year, one at Hillsboro, costing
$4,000, dedicated in May, the Trappe
church, costing 5000, dedicated in
July at Centreville at a cost of s., ,437;
at Still Pond a church costing So, 140.
Much needed improvements are re-
ported to various other churches in the
district; With single exception every
parsonage is owned by the church
The property of the churches in the
district is estimated to be valued al
$324, 600 an increase of $50, 900 during
the year. New churches at Colts
Station, Tilghman's Island, Morgan's
Creek Neck, Cecilton charge and Sud
lersville, are projected, and improve
ments to many others are being made
Continued interest in the Sunday
school cause is noted, the average at
tendance for the year being $500
There are CD Sunday school and 2;
missionary societies. The matter o
church aid being expended to the Sun
day schools is recommended as meas
ure of securing greater efficiency.
Rev. A. w. Milby, presiding elder o
the Dover district, reported with mucl
feeling the death of the Rev. Lucius d
Matlack of Cambridge. A drawbacl
in the district in the extent of some o
the circuits Is stated, with the sugges
ton that they be divided. The dedica
ton of churches, one at Willew Grov
costing $4,000, another at Wyomin
costing $2,SO0, was reported in Wyom
ing circuit. Churches were also bull
; and are occupied at Woodland, Hops
ton, in the Seaford charge, and q
Chestnut Woods dUTiingthe year, Tw
chapels were erected during the yea
and various ether improvements wer
|, reperted TO church property. Their
are 9S churches in the district, Is {
: which are stations, supplied by 8
ministers. There were 141 persons n
ceived into the churches during th
> year on prObatioN and by letter. .
report of the Wilmington Conferenc
Y Academy is presented in the pr,
= siding elders document. There AZ
165 pupils in the school, 725 volumes
!, the library. The buildings are value
Il at $4,000. Indebtedness to th
9 amount of $40, 500 was reported.
2 Rev. ]. A. B. Wilson, presiding eide
u of Salisbury district, reported 81 psini
y tiers in the district, with total Of
d churches, fanE of which were compile
ed during the year. Others in the ci
y cult are nearly ready for OccupanC
2 and many being improved, Nv
handsome new parsaaageaI were bui
), apd others are being improved. The
y has been an advance in, the support
: some preachers, "The modern eau
\ meeting, " states the FepoFt,u " which
= like the Judas Iscariot, saws n Ha
~ Master and betrays him with a kis