The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-27
STILL HOLDING OUT
pPHERSON METHODISTS WILL NOT
GIVE UP THE OLD SHIP.

Presiding Elder Hodgson Says They Have
had All They Could Do to Hold Their
Own But That They VIII Never Give Up
as Long as They Can Find n Place to
insert a Tooth or a Ciaw-They Have
Lost No Ground Notwithstanding That
They Have Been Iuterfered With by
Discrimination in Freight Rates
Rev. T. 5. Hodgson, presiding elder OF
the Mcpherson district, gave the fol-
lowing report of the past year:
The past year has had its difficulties.
its embarrassments. and even some
hardships. but through them all the
Lord has brought US TO our annual gath
ering with something to show for our
tolls and sacrifices. Not as much. per-
haps. as We had hoped for at the beginn-
ing, but still enough 20 give US fair
measure of content and to cheer US on
ard. The dark cloud Of hard times.
far from lifting and passing away.
seemed TO grow darker and deeper as
the year advanced. Discouraging as
this was from human standpoint, yet,
TO their posts. and with a strength born
of heaven and cherished by sense OF
duty. worked hard and earnestly for
results. That we do not come empty
handed to our account is due 10 the fact
that faith laughs at impossibilities and
cries 1t shall be done" Peace pre-
vailed throughout our borders, though
in a few instances there were signs OF
discord and tumult, but they were soon
appeaSed and love and harmony, mutual
forbearance, won the day.
A few changes occurred in the pastor
ate during the year. Rev. Montgomery
Of HOisingtOn circuit was transferred in
the middle of the year 10 the Iowa con-
ference. About the same time Brother
Engeart of Lyons station was transfer
red 10 Southern California conference.
The two young men in charge OF Kin
sley and Burdette went away 10 school
But their vacations were speedily filled
by man who successfully carried the
work through the year.
Ii i not my custom TO review in de-
tail the work done in each circuit and
station. Let 1t suffice to say that in
each instance the work done was of a
high order and worthy Of all praise for
the fidelity and cheerfulness with which
II was accomplished. The people in
the main seemed TO be we'll contented.
for have heard very little complaining,
and no official action looking 10
change of pastors was taken. The
Sunday school work throughout the dis
trict is steadily reaching out toward a
high standard Of efficiency. Very few
sO-called Union schools are in existence.
and they are only where absolute ne
cesSity compels them. We strive TO
make our Sunday schools Methodistic
in name, aim and outcome.
There are upward Of fifty Epworth
leagues in the district. Every charge,
and nearly every appointment in every
charge. has an auxiliary of this kind 10
assist in the work Of the church. They
have come TO be centers of great inter
est and as culturing and training school
10 fit our young people for the broader
fields Of usefulness into %hich they will
one day enter. their Importance cannot
be very well overated. Our pastors
have done well in the circulation of our
books and periodicals, especially the lat
ter. There are nearly 800 Advocates
and about 200 Epworth Heralds taken
by our people. OF course much re-
mains 10 be done along this line. We
ought not to consider the battle won
until we have placed church paper in
every Methodist home. With the return
of better times the above numbers will
be greatly increased. Our pastors give
on encouragements to the irresponsible
religious papers which seek for patron
q &c within our territory. Our motto Is
loyalty 10 our own church organs and
their supreme right-of-wsy over all
competitors. When We consider that
every dollar thus acquired yields a per
centage Of income 70 our sUperanuated
(CnntinuAi on Third PaReN