The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-26

few cases Of neglect and stinginess,
but these are the exceptions. We be-
lieve that the people pay more for pas
toral support in proportion 10 their
ability than is necessary in older parts
OF the country. They must do so in or
der to have pastors al all Owing to
this fact apportiOnments for benevo-
lent causes have been higher proper
tionate 10 ability than ii should be.
BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS.
am not prepared TO give exact fig
ures on benevolent collection but feel
sure that theue viii be an improve
rnent over the past when We take in
consideration the deceased population
and the fact that our people have had
scarcely anything which they could
sell for money. There has been
smaller amount Of cash in circulation
this year than any OF the past, not ex-
cepting our extreme drouth.
OUR CHURCH PAPERS.
Our church literature is circulated
TO some extent on all charges, but We
feel constrained to say that ii is not
what it should be anywhere. The Of
fer made this year for the central al
broadcast over the country. We can
not hope TO be and do what we ought
until all our people have an intelligent
view of the vast domain and opera
rions of the church of which they are
members. Our doctrines and pOlity
and great correctional interests must
be instilled into the minds and hearts
Of our chilren and young people of the
generation of MethOdists shall measure
I'D 10 the responsibility Of their day
Many of our young people do not seem
to know the difference between little
colgrega tional company OF water Chris
tians and the mighty arm OF power and
Holy Ghost Evangelism Of MethOdism.
Water truly quencheS fire and in a few
places We have been hindered by the
floods of doctrine which have at least
temporarily quenched the fire and eazl
of experimental religion.
EPWORTH LEAGUES.
We have had excellent growth in Ep-
worth League work. We have in the
district q chapters with 652 active and
166 associate members. This is any
increase of seven chapters and 3S4 mem
bers during the year. fully 80 per cent
We have also two Junior leagues with
167 members. There are So preaching
places in the district. This is one Ep-
worth league for every four places.
Many of these places are unOrganiZed
or are cry weak societies where an Ep-
worth league could not be maintained.
We take 81 Epworth Heralds. an in
crease of 10.
Two district conventions have been
held during the year. One at Scott
City in August The other at Gar
den City in February. The one at Gar
den City was the most largely attend
ed and enthusiastic Of any in our his
tory. Persons travelling with teams
as far as so miles to attend II. From
it has gone out over the district the in
fluence of a rich spiritual experience
and strong zeal for souls which Will be
felt for many days. We have noticed
great increase in Bible reading and
study all over the district which we
believe is largely attributed to the Ep
worth League. This fact alone will
doubtless yield large fruitage in the
future.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Our Sunday school interests in the
district are well maintained We have
however this strange thing among us.
In number of communities where the
only church operating is our own and
the Sunday school largely with Metho-
dist officers and teachers, the scOOls
are called union merely to satisfy the
whims of q. few people and they some
times without UNCONVENTIONAL interests
or utilization.
EDUCATION.
We are far distant from our confer
ence school. We never see any of its
| trustees or faculty. 1t is hard to in
tereSt our people in ii. We have but
few young people in our families who
are financially able to attend college
and those who are are sometimes
drawn elsewhere. We have a ethOdist
school in our midst. Soule college is
presided over by Rev. E. II. Vaughan.
D. d. 1t was acquired in 1893 by dOna-
ton of the heirs of A. T. Soule. 1t is a
magnificent building originally cost
| ing So. 900. The title is vested in the
Soule College association of the Metho-
| dist Episcopal church OF Dodge City,
Kansas, to hold in trust for the Metho-
| dist Episcopal church. This associa-
cion consists OF five men, the pastor
and four members Of our church at
| Dodge City One of these has since
moved TO Chicago. No other persons
are Connected with the management of
| the institution except by employment
and direction Of this association.
This association is incorporated with
| full college powers. II is now in the
third term OF the second year of its
| operation under this management. The
attendance is very small and income
very light, but 1t still lives. The prop
erty is granted on condition that the
| school be operated perpetually with
/ three or more teachers and in the name
| Of Soule college. The reversion clause
/ for failure Of compliance with these
| conditions is limited 70 the life time of
/ the grantors. These were three. two of
| whom are already dead. If this insti-
| tuition can be maintained for a few
years We believe it would be Of great
| service 10 the church.
REVIVALS OF RELIGION.
| This has been the best year in all our
| history in the work of soul saving. a
| CONTINUED on Third Page)