Middletown transcript., 1893-03-18
EAsToN DISTRICT
Report of Presiding Elder Alfred
Smith,l

report or HfeSldlnS Elder AlIreQ
Smfth.l
After passing upon Presiding Elder
Smiths character, that gentleman proceeded
with his report of the Easton District, as
follows. First of all desire to thank God
for his goodness and mercy to us in that
life and health for the most part have been
preserved, and heavenly hreezes given by
which we have been borne along safely
and successfully to the end of another
years vuyaging.
Only one of the ministers have died dur.
ing the year, Brother Joseph L. Houston, a
supernumeraie of this conference and who
had been in the itinerate harness more than
50 years. He died near Trappe, Talbot
County, Md, September Is, 1892,
PLAN OF THE WORK.
The plan of the work has remained as
fixed by the Bishop, except in few cases
Dr. j. A. B. Wilson. of Easton, transferred
to the New York Conference. was succeeded
by Rev Walter E. Avery, of Mt. Salem,
and Rev. s. NJ. Morgan, of HiIlsburo was
sent to Mt. Salem; Joeeph A. Brindle.
supernumerary, was put in charge Of
Hillsboro, temporarily and the church is
now supplied by Rev. o. w. Devenish.
Piney Neck was cut off from Rock Hall
circuit and made a separate charge, and is
supplied by Rev. w. NJ. Listen, local
preacher.
The old Jumptown Church near Ridgley,
Caroline County, Md, was reSurrected in
the early fall. Ii had been closed for the
last IS years. Rev. Joseph c. Brindle was
put in charge. Since then good Sunday
school was organized revival services have
been helc, and now again after their long
sleep, they take their place in the line of
march.
CHURCHES AND PARsoNAGEs.
Four new churches have been projected,
viz: CheswoId, on Smyrna Circuit; Du-
laney's, on Sassafras and Massey's Circuit
ST. Paul's on Cecilton Circuit, and Better
ton on Still Pond Circuit. The one at
Cheswold cost $3.50 and was dedicated
1892, free of debt. 1t is one of the most
beautiful churches to be found anywhere.
This is an entirely new church. The con-
gregation formerly worshipped at Bethel,
grand old country church, a mile and a
quarter away. She will start the new con
ference year with a membership OF ABOUT
70 and a Sunday school of 100, and a
preacher all their own.
The Dulaney Church cost $1,000, all of
which has been paid except $3.50,
This church takes the place of the old one
on new site just across the road, and rep
resents splendid self sacrifice on the part of
the congregation.
The church at St. Paul's is rot yet fin
shed, and will cost between four and five
thousand dollars. Already S3253 has hetn
paid upon it. 1t will be finished and dedi-
Gated free of debt.
The church at Betterton will cost when
completed $1,000.
Improvements have been made upon the
churches at Kings Greek, Middietown, Ok
ford and Smyrna. At the latter place they
cost $1,000.
One new parsonage has been built in the
district during the year-at Sudlersville, and
cost $780, upon which there is a debt of
S1200. Again have Brother William Taylor
and his wife showered their gifts upon the
at Middletown. which, together
with the generous gifts of the ite Society,
makes the Middletown parsonage, with one
exception. perhaps the most elegantly fur
nished preachers home in the Conference,
The work of building, repairing and pay
ing old debts on churches and parsonages
has gone steadily on, and in these stringent
times this showing represents splendid
work for both preachers and people.
MINISTERIAL SUPPORT.
The increase III appointments for pas
tors salaries this year amounted i'll the ag
gregate To about $1,000 and in most in
stances apportionments have been met In /
several places, however, we have had
serious falling off, which fact strongly en-
phasizes the necessity for an increase in o,-
domestic mission fund, in order that
the Presiding E Eder might have
wherewith to help deserving brethern in
those places. The Easton District ought to
have al the very least calculation $500 OF
Domestic mission funds for this purpose.
EPwoRTH LEAGUES.
There are II chapters of the league, aud
a reported membership of 1125. This
young society in many pl ces is doing
splendid work, and is full of promise for
the future New chapters have been or
ga ized at Tilghnan's Island. Broad Creek
and Middletown. The distric; organization
Is well officered with Rev, v, s. Collins at