Middletown transcript., 1893-03-18
DOVER DISTRICT.
Presiding Elder R. II. Adams Tells of
His Accomplishments on This
District.


District.
Dover district holds on her way ofaggres
sive evangelism, the aspersities which ont
year ago so seriously disturbed the church
have materially softened and grave appre
tensions have given place to settled hope
| fulness, and but for variety of local con.
ditions at times seemingly insuperable
there would have been marked develop
ment throughout the district.
Drought affecting the cereal products in
one section, the almost total destruction oi
the crop of various fruits in others, followed
by a winter unequaled in severity for q
| quarter Of century, have been difficulties
that challenged the best wisdom and energy
ofpreaehers and aymen to overcome.
The churches in Dorchester county have
suffered immensely. The oyster having
gradually suppanted the agricultural in
tarests, and hundreds of families being
solely dependent upon it, the closing of the
oyster grounds by ice for six of the most
lucrative weeks of the season, was to the
ovsiermen an appalling disaster. Two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars would
not replace the losses sustained by Cam
bridge, Beckwith, Church Creek, Hoopers
Island and Elliott's Island. To tranquilize
the perturbed state of mind prevailing upon
the district, readjust the relation of disaf-
fected churches, and counterwork the effect
of the seasons without decline in any in
terest or retreat from any advanced position
has been an arderous task.
THE EpwoRTH LEAGUE.
Thoroughly reorganized upon the distric
gives prominence of efficiency and useful
ness. Chapters have been formed in most
Of our larger towns, and few of the larger
country churches. The young people are
becoming interested in Bible study, the doc
trines and history of the church and the
duties of Christian life.
AMONG THE APPOINTMENTS.
Beckwith parsonage debt has been can
celled, and Rev. w. f. Dawson has had
much success, adding 40 probationers to the
roll of the church at Speddins.
Bridgeville reports 25 probationers and
improvements to the parsonage and new
church.
Rev, j. E. Graham reports 80 probation
ers and improved organizations of the sew
eral churches under his charge
The Cambridge charge has discharged an
Indebtedness of 500 and reports 60 conver
sions
Rev. P. II. Rawlins at Camden closes his
term Of five years with the churches of the
circuit in excellent condition. Rev. T. S.
Williams has had a most successful PASTOR
ate Rev q. W. Capham has toiled day
and night in very hard field and sue
ceeded in procuring financial aid and secur-
ing 81 conversions.
Rev. w. w. Chairs has been attending
lectures at Maryland Medical University,
and expects to graduate in April.
Wesley Church in Dover, under the
charge of DIR. W. L. S. Murray was never in
a better condition. The second church is
on the tide of success Wisdom and patti
eAce were daily required to adyantageously
reconstruct and organize this society. The
division growing out of previous misunder
standings, have been serious obstacles, over
come only by dispassionate entreaty.
Rev: r. E. Coursey has declined largely
IN the Harrington Church in its support of
the benevolences, giving last year fully fifty
per cent. more toward the collections than
the amount reported this year; not even our
worthy and needy claimant in an exception
in THIS large decline. One church in Har-
rington has numbers, average wealth with
business and social positi on, but lacks
Milford has moved backward to the posi-
ton OF i've years ago, reducing the pastors
salary to $1,000 and the contributions to mis-
sions to S400, making a reduction of 5000 in
each.
Vienna Circuit, Rev. W. H. Bedford, has
not indicated growth in any department, if
its position has been sustained.
Rev. w. E. England was by request ap
pointed to fill the vacancy made in Seaford
by the transfer of Rev. Clarence Wilson TO
Fort Smith. Here parsonage debt has
been paid and small amount paid upon
the Indebtedness at Bladesville. but partly
owing to the scarcity of money and more
from the want of system, there has been a
serious and needles decline in the collec-
tions
Professor Gooding of the Conference
Academy, furnishes the following report:
Number of Students 1929. 80. 173
Conference Educational Benefci-
aries Observation-Disclosures.
Board of Eduation. .... 13l
Values of Property ........ $50 900 90
Approximate Indebtedness ...... 25,OO0 90
Receipts for board and tuition . 10000 90
Expenditures. ......!............ 14,416 04
Net Receipts ............... 2,047 81
Rental Observation-Disclosures. 6S3 10 |
And now, brethren. thrust Unexpectedly
into this official position, confronted by
difficulties such as have not been the lot of
any predecessor since the days of civil
war, compelled by the exigencies of the
to counsel and arbitrate where
prejudice and passion had prevailed, to |
inspire with courage and steadfastness the
despondent and faltering, to unite the alien
ated into harmonious and Christly |
brotherhood, we bring cur report.
NTid-Lent Services.
Services were held in the Episcopal |
Church this morning at 1890 O'clock, with |
Holy Communion. Rev. G. w. Dame, of |
Smvrna "tficiated, and will also preach this |