The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-28
BRINGS In KAFFIR
PRESIDING ELDER LOWPHBR BUILDS
HIS HOPES ON TIE CEREAL.


His District Have had to Pass, he
Breaks Out in al Original Verse with
Reference to Kafhr Corn-It has Been n
Hard Year But He Predicts Bright
Future-what was Done the Past Year
Death Enters One Family.
Presiding Elder Lowther in his cd
dress concerning the work Of the Win
field district spoke as follows:
In making my annual report 10 the
Southwest Kansas conference 1 hazard
nothing in saying that in our vicinity
MethOdism has more grace and less gold
than in any period Of her history. While
Kansas last year was mostly a wilder
ness OF corn, in Cowley and Sumner
counties there was almost a total failure
Most OF the preachers OF other denO-ni-
nations have abandoned the field, leav-
ing Us the only denomination from
whom the masses expect regular preach
ing. Winfield district includes Cow
ley, Sumner, Harper and Barber coun-
ties. Within that radius there are
more sermons preached from Methodist
pulEltS than from any other pulpits;
there are more souls converted at the
Methodist affairs than by all other agen-
cies; and with the exception of the
Campbellites, there are more persons
ADDED - other churches as the result
OF Methodist revivals than from the re-
vivals held by themselves. With spec
ial emphasis upon the doctrines of re-
generation for the sinner, the sanctifica-
ticn OF the believer, and the best posi-
BILE education for the mind, We are per
suaded that MethOdism is taking or
higher forms, is exhibiting a higher
type OF Christianity and possesses great
er spiritual power than is possible where
these doctrines are not emphasized.
The preachers salaries are not fully
paid, my salary has been in the same
ratio, and except in few cases the be-
nevolences are not full. NOtwithstand-
ing the support has been meagre. there
has been no disposition to grumble. bu;
there has been real joy of soul in the
fact that Eve shall not want for any
good thing" In so far as il concerns
portion of their salaries, the pastors
have walked by faith-the Evidence Of
things not seen
Many changes are being made in farm
ing, which seems to US viii effect in
future the material prosperity Of the
country. Not the least of them is the
planting of Kaffir corn and sorghum
irstead of the maize that parches so
easily in the hot blasts of July and Au-
gust. There will in future, be much
less uncertainty about crops, for
Though the heated breezes blow,
The Kaffir corn Will grow,
The work of some OF the preachers
has been somewhat destructive as well
as constructive. AS the pioneer cleared
away the forests in order TO the raising
~ ernr lon - \
ere eNterminated to admit the raising
of domestic stock; as the wild Indian
was subdued in order to admit the civ.-
lization of the present, so the saloon
must give place to the church These
forces naturally antagOnistic, have, in a
few instances measured their strength
and in every case / believe resulted fn
victory for the church led on BY the
preacher as a representative of the hosts
of God. As rule, our churches WHY
show, az compared with last year. an
increase in membership. in Sunday
school scholars. in Epworth League
workers, and decrease in pastors sala-
ries. benevolences and in all financial
interests.
OUR COLLEGE.
One year ago last July I took the
presidency OF the Southwest Kansas
Conference college. ! took II not as a
permanency. but until such time as a
man could be found able, competent and
who could give ii all his time and ener-
sy. Such man was found in the person
of Rev. Chester a. Place. =. d. Phi. D.
who had been previously teaching in the
department of languages and acting
vice-presiIcnt. We discovered him 20
be q man of unusual abilities, and re-
signed the presidency il his favor and
H.. I'll
have done what we could TO build Up
the school by lectures. personal appeals
and correspondence with gratifying sue
cess. President Place has gathered
around him a corps of teachers OF su-
perior merit. 1t is believed by those
who are in position to know that never
in its history has the school mad a more
able faculty in all its departments and
never did better work. Both students
and faculty are observing the rules OF
plain living and high thinking. Breth-
rem, 1 wish you to know the grade OF
work being done in the school; the
blessings that the coming TO this con-
ference as the result in the preparation
Of men for the ministry; men who could
not go elsewhere and could not attend
here, could We not aid them with stu
dent appointments. | want you 10
know the sacrifices the professors are
making; for, II you do. every one will
faithfully take the collections IN your
charge and IN other ways help US as you
can. As many young ministers are
being educated IN that school as com
pose one OF the districts Of this confer
ence; and now with Oklahoma opening
up 70 us as a patronizing territory. We
think Providence has in store FOR Us a
successful future
The health Of the preachers and their
families, has been exceptionally good
However. death came 10 the hone OF
Brother J. L. Patterson and took away
his loving wife, Unexpectedly 20 her
friends, and yet j0yfully 10 herself. She
passed beyond the shadows TO await
the coming Of loved ones. IN Gods good
time.
Our district campmeeting az Winfield
vas a decided success. Scores OF per
sons were converted. and as many more
received the blessings % perfect love"
Our preachers avoid unjustfable eI-
tremes; they have been judicious n
their enthusiasm and kindly IN their
oppcsitio1s 70 wrong Yet. IN the
Methodist preacher. the tolnt-kAeper
recognizes an enemy 70 his business
even before no meets him Besides BE-
ing enemies - sin. our preachers ar
rreaGhing a gospel. broad and deep;
reaching the sinner a. his lowest depths
and lifting him 70 the n CHEST possible
attatanentz within the dominion OF
grace: giving equitable emphasis % the
whole range Of Christian doctrines, from
the deep bass note Of repentance 20 the
high sounding sympbouies or "fUA SAL