Middletown transcript., 1898-03-26
MErHoD1grsr II CONFERENCE.

annual session i'll aLewes Oh "wednesday
morning. The organized local body is knowI
as- the Wilmington Conference, the larges
city within the boundary often giving its
name to the society Notsinc 1881 has Lswei
entertained this Conference and it is found
that the society has grownSmuch faster than
our ancient city by the sea but well-knowr
Sussex hospitality will take care OF the
preachers and their guests of the week.
The preliminary services began on Tues
day evening when Rev. |. L. Wood and
Rev. G.. w. Townsend delivered missionary
addresses. The twenty-four candidates and
members of the first second. third and
fourth years courses of study with the
members of the examining committees
have been in Lewes since Monday Can
didates are on trial four years. At the end
of two years, successful in study and
work if they are ordained "deacons''; at the
end of four years they are ordained" elders
and admitted into full membership. if pass
ed and elected. Fhere are seven appIi-
cants to enter this year. They are, George
R. Ellis, H B. Kelso, F. K. Moore, +. u.
Bloxton, W. b. Kenney, w. e. Wright and
0. E. Jones. Mr. Wright is resident OF
Middletown. Those already on trial are,
first years exa mination-J. W. Prettyman,
Harry Taylor, James w. Talley, w. O..
Bennett, F. NJ. Dougherty; second year
L. E. Pool, c. E. Hastings, d. ]. Given and
C. 1. Stengle; third year-T. R. VanDyke,
E. H. Collins and 7. s. Holt; fourth year
w. E. West, ]. H. Beauchamp, F. E. Nc
Kinsey. H. G.. Budd and J. P. Outten.
At $50 o'clock on Wednesday morning
the Conference was formally opened by a
sacramental service conducted by the presi-
ding bishop, John P. Newman; at roll call
127 members and II candidates for mem
bership responded. The. secretaries and
other officers and committees were named.
the officers of former years being reelected.
Bishop Newman emphatically stated his
daily routine to the conference. From to
7 o'clock in the morning he will devote to
his correspondence and deyotions, follow ed
by prayer and his morning meal" The re-
mainder of the morning will be given to
the conference session, and from l to 2
o'clock the bishop will rest. From to
o'clock will be consumed with 4 the four
presiding elders and none else. 81 will
suggest the presiding elders to talk freely
with their pastors" he asserted, "and to
treat them as men, to respect their man
hood" This was greeted with considerable
applause. Continuing, Bishop Newman
said II have no sympathy for any presid-
ing elder who goes about among the breth-
rem with mysterious air." From to
in the afternoon will be given to laymen
and from to in the evening to preachers.
Come, talk freely with me about where
you want to 60" he said. BE frank with
me, but not extravagant." Concluding, he
beseeched all to pray for himself and the
presiding elders.
PRESIDING ELDERS REPORTS.
Rev. R. H. Adams of Dover District made
his report There are forty senior and six
teen junior leagues with membership of
$500. There were 400 conversions. In
conclusion Mr.. Adams, his throat choked
with emotion and he bursting into tears,
said: Brethren, was placed six years ago
upon Dover district, which at that time
was in state Of serious discussion. Since
the days of the civil war no presiding elder
of this conference has confronted condi-
tons requiring more f0rbearance, patience
and wisdom. I was sent as messenger of
peace to tranquilize and soothe asperities,
to arbitrate grave disputes, to calm the
rash, and to restore confidence. 1t has
taken time to accomplish the task, but by
the grace of God, and the cooperation Of
tha brethren, it has been done, and we are
now in state of blessed Christian fra
ternity." Hearty applause greeted the
touching report.
DR.. Corkran represented Easton District.
He said advances had been made in all
general and the majority of local collec-
tions. "Revivals were in many places
either drowned by rain, or smotnered by
muddy roads," About ], 100 persons were
converted. st. Michaers Church led with
165 converts. At Tunis's Mills a school was
started, and sixty-fye persons converted.
Townsend had seventy-five converts and
Chestertown eighty, besides retaining
seventy-ive others. A movement has been
started to secure local option in the Della
ware portion of the districts.
Rev. T. E. Martindale, DID,, reported
Salisbury district. The feature of religious
work was railroad Sunday school, Orga-
nized four months ago. Tangier's Island
will build $500 church, and several
charges have removed indebtedness.
Laurel, Nd. paid 81 400; and in the district
SIG, 600 had been subscribed and paid out by
the churches. There was an increase of
eleven Epworth Leagues. and the conver-
sions numbered ,45O. Asbury led with 13O;
Mt Vernon had 120: Millsboro 116, and
every church was included in the list of
DR.. Barrett made an elaborate report of
Wilmington district. The Epworth League
has advanced until it consists of 81 senior
and - junior chapters, with total mem
bership of 26j0. The seven Christian En-
deavor societies have 443 members. There
are 70 Sunday schools, having 1858 officers
and teachers and 1880 scholars.
The conversions on the district have been
more than thousand. During DIR. Bar
ret's eldership of six years seven churches
have been built at cost of 100000; two par
sonages built at cost of $4,000, and i'm
provements costing 100000 made. The /
benevolent collections have amounted to
$92, 900, making an aggregated collections of
1886, 900 for benevolencies and improve
ments. IT the S25s, 900 received for pastoral
support were aided added. DR.. Barrett said.
the total collections would be $514 900 for
Gods work, this not including interest and
trustees expenses. tAnd when it is con-
sidered that this large sum was contributed
Voluntarily in the midst of widespread
and severe money panic" DR.. Barrett con-
cluded. land in a manufacturing district, it
is indis putable. evidence that the great
heart of Methodism beats responsive to the
demands of God and His Church."
OF the troubles in the church at New
Castle the elder said: "Fhe situation at
New Castle has not been pleasant or encour-