Evening journal., 1897-03-17
AMONG THE MINISTERS.
Chestertown Epworth League
rendered Them a Reception.
CONFERENCE OPENED TODAY AT 10
REV. EwING's MISSIONARY SER
MON LAST NIGHT BEGAN THE
EXERCISEs-LAST SESSION OF
CONFERENCE IN CHEsTERTOWN.


CONFERENCE IN CHEsTERTOWN.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.
CHEsTERTowN, March 17.--Bishop
]. NJ Walden called to order the large
body of Methodist ministers now com
prlsing the Wilmington Conference
shortly before IL o'clock this morning
after an impressive sacramental SER
vice. Nearly all the ministers sat or
stood within the bar OF the conference
promptly at the beginning Of the SER
vice. 1t was a beautiful morning, and
the auditorium was crowded
WHEN THE CLERGY ARRIVED.
The lower room Of the M. E. Church
was a sight to behold last night. Groups
of eager, busy ministers jostled about,
talked, laughed and exchanged inquir-
les and compliments. Old members who
have greeted each other for a quarter
OF a century or more at the annual con-
| ferences were none the less Industrious
and cheerful for the harassing hard
times they have gone through and the
struggle with benevolent collections.
The vestibules were crowded. and the
/
their time last night Every white tie
and shirt bosom was immaculate, and
clothes, as a rule. were very new and
trousers had the tailor's crease intact.
A pentecostal service was held at 3
o'clock yesterday afternoon, conducted
by Or. G. j. Fowler. At 7.30 last night
Rev. II. w. Ewing. OF Port Deposit,
preached the annual missionary sermon
from ST. Matthew xviii. 1920: "All
power Is given unto Me In Heaven and
earth; go ye, therefore, and teach all
nations. baptizing them in the name Of
the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost" 10, / am with you always,
even unto the end OF the world"
EPWORTH LEAGUE RECEIVED
THEM.
At S.45 o'clock the Epworth League,
of the Chestertown Methodist Episcopal
I Church, extended a formal reception to
the conference. The reception commit
tee was composed of Revs. w. p. Comp
ton. r. X Stephenson and E. w. Ew-
ing. of the Conference League Cabinet,
and M. Wilbur Thomas, Miss Fannie
Stuart, Thomas s. Bordley, Misses An
b ME Lambert, Cora Massey, Jennie
) Vickars, Julia Burchinal and John Toll
son, OF the Chestertown League.
Presiding Elder Alfred Smith deliv
cred the address Of welcome, which was
r responded TO by Bishop Walden and
\ Rev. r. X. Stephenson.
!, METHODIsM's GREAT GROWTH.
! The last conference of the Methodist
n Episcopal Church, held In Chestertown.
n was Ia 1878, and was presided over by
Bishop r. s. Foster, Wilmington Con-
trhInh pafnnrfaQu fnn GfnIa Of
e Delaware and the Eastern Shore coun-
= ties OK Maryland, was organized In 1869.
u AT that time the membership OF the
8 Methodist Episcopal Church was 49,
, 6S8. At the last session OF conference
j. II had increased to 36,576 There were
e In 1859 but sc ministers, while at the
last conference there we're IT'S. The
value of church property In 1853 was
81. .O2G. 1856. at the last report IL was ST.
s $50 800 The ministerial support In 1863
e was s6O,474; in 1896 1t was $l72354.
+ NOTES OF THE CONFERENCE.
Rev. ]. T. Van Burkalow came down
smiling, the picture of health, and with
n a pocketful Of resolutions to oifer for
the good of the conference.
Rev. Frank +. Carpenter arrived from
Hillside with a shining hat IN its virgin
gloss and stylish light suit.
- Dr. Martindale, who may be made a
presiding elder left his prosperous
charge at Milford and reached Chester
town last evening.
Rev. Edwin Gardner came over last
~ night from Royal Oak, Md, with a
"Laudate DOminum" expression, and
all his collections in his pocket.
)f Rev. c. f. Sheppard was taken for
" Bishop AndUews she walked down past
the Voshell House last night with a
B. shining silk hat resting on his snow
n, white hair
e. Former Pastor T. e. Terry, of st
Pauls Church, Wilmington, looks young
n again and quite strong after his year al
\, Harrington.
Van +. Northrup, who looks like 9
coming presiding elder or bishop, ,isoneo
az the visiting ministers who has dispel
L led dull care and looks cheerful anC
bright.
h. f. Burgette Short thinks the Evening
n- Journals note about the new church a
IN Georgetown and himself was not au
thentic. but Mr. Short has not been II
80 Georgetown lately to hear the drift o
sc public opinion.
e Rev. Ralph b. Coursey Is probabl.
a. the handsOmest man in town. He il
'n probably going to Harrison stree
% Church, Wilmington, but unfOrtunatei.
of for the Wilmington girls and happll.
n for another girl Brother Coursey i
IS married.