Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-25
4 HARD YEAR on THO CHURCH.
But StllI Coco Reports Are Made
to Conferences.

Warnings Conference work.
Stan Correspondence o. Gazette and Journal
Chcstsriown, Md, March is. The
Goth session of the Wilmington Annual
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church was formally opened yesterday
morning, Bisohp John ID. Walden pre-.
siding.
Ths sacrament Of the Lords Supper
vas administered, the bishop being
assisted by tho presiding elders and
other members of the conference.
The roll of the conference was called,
and l.7 mem bsrs and probationefs
responded.
Bishop Walden announced that tho
following had been transferred to the
Wilmington Conference: The Rev, II.
Nj. Thurlow OF the Baltimore Confer
ence, the Rev. cara Tinker of the
New York Conference, and the Rev.
y. NJ. Dougherty, first year pro-
eatinner, OF the Minnesota Conference.
The Rev. A.. s. Mowhray was elected
secretary, and he named the Reeve. J.
d. Rigg. W. A. Wise aud Y. II. Web.
ster as his assistants.
The Rev. W. II. Mowbray was
elected statistical secretary, and he
named the Revs. II. A. G. Westerfield,
J. III. GeughepHn, V. T. Northrup, g.
z. Jones, Edwin Gardner, W. w.
Sharp and W. q. Chance as his as
sistants.
The Rev. C. A. Griss was elected
treasurer, and he named the Rows.
Aloyeius Green, J. a. Brewington, +.
e. Mac Sorlhy, j. NJ. Lindale, II. G.
Atkins, 4. 4. Beauchamp and w. j.
Du Hallway aud Nessrs. Alfred G. Cox
and II. S. Goldey as his assistants
The usual standing committees were
appointed.
A resolution providing that the com.
mittee on ministerial qualifications
serve throughout tho year and that
u be required to report upon each can
didate for the ministry three times
when applying for admission on pro.
baton. When applying for deacons'
otder1 or TO lie received in full con-
neciion, and when applying for elders
orders-was adOpten.
John France, q, +. Sheppard, p. II.
Rawlins anu j. S. Wickline were elected
ministerial members of the board OF
stewards.
bishop Walden addressed the con
ference concerning the conduct of the
sessions.
l
| aminations credit for the proper Ger
| titicatea from schools.
Tho Rev. q. ". Hounds was elected
conference postmaster.
| The Rev. G. j. Fowler, D. d., who
came hero to conduct pentecostal ser
wees, became i'll yesterday and left
town. bishop Walden conducted the
| pentecostal services held yesterday
| afternoon.
bishop Walden delivered last evening
his celebrated lecture on Africa; II:
EvangelizatiOn, and was heard by Z
large audience.
The official board of the Chestertowr
| Church yesterday, extended pastora
invitation to the Rev. Harvey W.
Ewing.
Z ChestertoHn, Nd, March 10. The
Wilmington Conference devoted nearl,
all of yesterday mornings session L
bearing tho, reports Of the presiding
elders.
DIR. Barrett of tho Wilmington dis
trict said: Tho year has been ono o
faithful labor and sacrifice, both upnr
tho part uf the pastors and the people
The churches ana preachers have keenly
felt the financial pressure, and have
not been without their cares and suffer
ings. This has been the most difficult
and embarrassing year of my admins
tration. Money has boon scarce ant
hard to get, and as a consequence thu
total deficiency in pastors salaries viii
be the largest. / fear, ever reported OF
tho Wilmington district, where thu
rule has been to pay tie preachers il
ful.n
Hc appropriately referred to tha deatt
OF the Rev Merritt Hulburd, S. L. d..
j. II. Mu.lin and ELI Mendinhall
Revival services have teen held il
every charge" he continued, "ant
SOULS have beon converted. Th,
result OF the revival services held a
Marshalltnn, New CASTLE, HopeWell
Northeast, Delaware City, lllkton
Ebenezar, Port Deposit, Rising Sun
Sylmar, Mt. Pleasant. lerryville
Charlestuwn circuit, Zion circuit, New
nort, Bsthel and Summit, Chester
Bethel, Cherry Hill, Chesapeake City
Ghristiana, Salem, Olaymont, Elk Neck
Mt. lebanon Newark and Wesley, Mt
Pleasant and Union, Glasgow aud st
Georges was encouraging, but the result
in Wilmington were far from bein!
commensurate with the ministers
efforts. II heliovc,' he sand. "Iha
throughout the district to day there i
a deeper piaty. Il loyal devotion TO III
principles Of MBthodism and ripe
experience in the deep things of Coz
than ever befnrr." The proportion o
members attending class meetings wa
about one fourth.
He stated that the Sunday schoo
work ia in excellent Hhapa. Abuu
seven tenths Of the scholars attend In
nreachirg services. The Epwortl
League il doing effective work. Their
are on the district 50 chapters, will
a membership of about l,250. Their
, arc also five Christian Endoavor Socie
tics, with . membership of about 400
lie thought every Methodist churci
should have an Epworth Leagu
chapter. Some preachers did not re
ceive their salaries in full, but the
earnestly commended for tho full an
portionment for benevolences. "lt i
, to bs regretted" he said, that the dis
tirGt does not reach last years. figure
on missions Outside of Wilmingto
and New Castle we have about he'll
our own. f." There was substantial
advance Mt Elkton. At Perryville thor
war an advance of Al per cent, and a
Eiopewell and Ashury an advance OF I
per cent. Marahallton ami Port Deposi
, also advanced. In Wilmington and Ne,
Castle the loss was heavy. Asbury
, Grace, st. paul's and Scott failnd /
, reach apportiunments. Mt Salem
Madsiey, Wesley, Harrison Strset an,
! kingsWood advanced Silverbrools
I Easliake, Conkman, Brandywine, Union