Smyrna times., 1893-03-22

| NSUlloC NOUS on her WaV of
aggressive evangelism, the asperities
which one year ago materially dis-
turbed the church, have softened and
grave apprehensions have given place
TO buoyant hOpefulness, and but for a
variety of local conditions, at times
seemingly insuperable, there would
have been marked DEVELOPMENT
throughout the district
Drought affecting the cereal prod.
ucts in one section, the almost total
destruction of the crop ofvarious fruits
In others, followed by a winter un-
equaled in severity for quarter of a
century, have been difficulties that
challenged the best wisdom and energy
ot preachers and lAymen to overcome.
The churches in Dorchester county
have suffered immensely. The oyster.
having gradually supplanted the agri-
cultural interest and hundreds of
families being solely dependent upon
IT, the closing of the oyster grounds bv
ice for six of the most lucrative week.
OF the season, was to the oystermen an
appalling disaster. Two hundred and
nifty thousand dollars would not replace
the losses sustained by Cambridge
heckwlth, Church Creek, Hooper's
Island and Elliot's Island. To tran.
qulllze the perturbed state of mind
prevailing upon the district, readiust
the relations of disaffected churches
and countcrwork the effect of the
seasons without decline from any inter.
est or retreat from any advanced posi-.
tlon has been an arduous task.
Children's Day was observed bv q
large number of Sunday. schools. the
services were interesting and the gath
erlngs large, but prolonged from San.
day to Sunday many schools were
disrupted and failed to recover. These
services held on different SUNDAYS for
six weeks, tend like camp. to make
sunday tramps Of the young people.
The Epworth League, thoroughly |
reorganlzed, gives promise of efficiency
and usefulness. Chapters have been
formed in most of the large towns and
In few OF the large country churches
Dover MethOdism is again harmon
ious. Wesley, with DR.. Murray as
pastor, was never in better condition
Arrearages remaining from last years
current expenses have been paid. and
the demands of the present year fully
met ArmOry is on the tide Of success.
Favorable mention was made by Mr..
Adams of the other charges on the
district.
Wilmington Conference Academy
Number of students, 1928, 173; value
of property, $4,000; receipts for board
and tuition, SIG, .35; expenditures, .
net receipts, S2,O49 81:
rental, $683.1O.
During the reading of the report ,,
here was occasionally subdued ap- :
plause, and expressions of Thank :
God" "HOw Firm a Foundation"
was sung.
THE REPORT OF EAsTON DISTRICT. 6
The character of Presiding Elder G
smith was passed, after which he read /
he report of Easton District. He said !
our new churches were projected dur b
ng the year-Cheswold, on Smyrna r
circuit; Dulaney, on Sassafras and (
uassey's Circuit; St. Paul's on Cecilton r,
)ircuit, and Betterton, on Still Pond Il
harge. The church at Cheswold cost al
$3.50 and was dedicated free of debt. st
it not new church on an old site.
never had church before. Ol
starts its separate existence as &C
ociety with a membership of about 75 eJ
nd Sunday-scoOl of about one hun. be
red and preacher of its own. The to
hurch at Dulaney was built at a cost of th
l 800, all of which has been paiG en-
kept $3.50. This church takes the m
lace of an old one, only on a new site, III
lst across the road. The new church Gil
n Cecilton Circuit is not finished. M
York had to be suspended on account ia
the cold weather. 1t will be splen- stl
id property, and will cost $4,000 or pc
5000. Already So, ,253 has been paid an
4 it. 1t will be dedicated free of debt dir
he church at Betterton is also unfin-
he'd. 1t will cost $1,000. he
The increase in appOrtionments for pr,
'stor's salaries amounted in the ag- by
egate to about $1,000, and in most cel
stances appOrtionments were met. do
several places there was a serious pre-
ling of, which fact strongly empha- cot
.es the necessity for an increase in Th
mission funds. ent
The district has II chapters of the ter
)Worth League, the membership of bu
1ich is 1,125. The society is doing an,
lendid work in many places. He but
IS proud to say that the larger part cor
the territory embraced in the dis anC
ct is exempt from the liquor traffic. me
and the pastors have been preach IT
: prohibition. He hoped that at no of :
tant day temperance league such put
had been suggested by the last yea
neral Conference, will be organized FOR
every church or Sunday School on ~; n0I
district. star
from the data furnished him by mer
Itors, it looked like benevolences has
uld not be quite up to apportion. tion
nts. Missions will be within 800 of toas eons
at they were lasv year, and may Che
ch $1,000. only
)uring the year there were 1900 1t is
versions on the district. LOO of drop
converts are in the churches on Uu tL y
bation. Last year the district re- dolls
ted 900 conversions and 800 proba- Send
ers. Revivals have been almost Add
sersaI. Centroville, Marydel, Ok .e-e
!, Talbot Circuit, Bayside, Thigh ~
rs Island and Ingleside each had 90,
r more conversions. Church Hill "
14S conversions, Middletown 100 uspo' .
$3.50. MOL .,a Aver
"~s tifc