Evening star., 1900-04-05

REPORTS OF ELDERS
First Business Today Before Metho-
dist Episcopal Conference.
THE EVIDENCE OF GENERAL PROGRESS
Twentieth Century Movement for
100000 Conversions.
EVENTS OF YESTERDAY
EVENTS OF YESTERDAY


Quoted by Rev. W. H. Chapman, and pre-
second day Of the 116th session of the Bal
timore conference of the M. E. Church be-
gan at the Metropolitan Church, AZ and c
streets northwest, at $50 this morning.
The first business in order after the read
ing and approval of the minutes was the
hearing of the reports of the presiding
elders of the five districts which comprise
the conference, showing the work accom-
piished during the past thirteen months.
Presiding Elder Ferguson of the Baltimore
district reported a satisfactory condition.
Church property had been improved graft
fyingly, and a new church had been built
at Solomons Island. Grace Church, Balti-
more, was nearing completion. The zeal Of
the pastors of both was highly praised.
Other improvements We're noted in the way
of the erection or purchase sOf parsonages
at various points. The whole amount paid
on church property during the year had
been S46.0T1.
MIR. Ferguson gave a satisfactory account
of the progress of mission work and the or
ganization of the Epworth League was
shown to be efficient. Sunday school work
was equally satisfactory, the pupils show
ing great interest. J4 per cent of them at
tending regular church services. That part
of the twentieth century movement which
seeks the conversion of 2,OOO,0OO persons
VIC DelIS Win edTneSLneSS ana
enthusiasm. and he expected the financial
side of it would in the future be loyalty
supported. The aggregate of collections in
the district was larger than in the previous
year. There We're 700 conversions made.
He regretted that there has been rather a
lessening of revival work.
East baltimore District
The next report was that of Presiding
Elder Edwards of the East Baltimore dis
trict. He said that the past year had been
a most successful one. Every charge had
been blessed with revivals and all had re-
ported conversions. There had been / 132
received into the church. 1,019 received as
probationers, of which 395 had entered into
full fellowship. Mr.. Edwards dwelt on the
propriety OF churches caring more for con-
Verts and holding out to them after their
conversion the hand of helpfulness, rather
than waiting for them to reach for it.
Sunday school work was well looked after:
teachers were efficient; 50 per cent of the
children old enough to do so attended regu-
lar church services.
The spiritual features of the twentieth
century movement, he said, were recog-
been expended in improving church prop
erty and one new church dedicated during
the year. Debts had been reduced many
thousands of dollars during the year.
The Frederick District.
Presiding Elder Mckenney of the Fred
erick district reported satisfactory condi-
ton of affairs. In considering church
property he detailed debts wiped out in sew
eral charges, and the improvement of
churches and parsonages church benevo-
lences had all been well cared for Plans
had been made in many churches to further
the twentieth century movement. Sunday
school interests We're well taken care of
and good work was being accomplished in
Chrisuanizing children. Revivals had been
general and successful. Over 400 CONVEX
slons had been made in the district during
the year.
Presiding Elder BaIdwfn's Report.
The report of the Washington district
was next in order but at Bishop Waiden's s
suggestion it was held over until later on
account Of SO many delegates interested in
1t being engaged elsewhere in committee
work. Accordingly Presiding Elder Bald
win of the west Baltimore district submit
ted his report Over 5000 had been sub
scribed toward missionary work, he said;
slight decrease over the previous years, but
he expected the deficiency would be shortly
overcome by individual subscriptions. There
were, however, advances in the funds for
other church benevoiences. the total in
crease in the district over the previous year
of over S14,O
Applause greeted this announcement.
Mr.. Baldwin made strong plea for the
Woman's College feature of the twentieth
century movement, and urged every mem
Der of the conference work to secure at
least $40 in behalf of the object. Graft
flying statements were made regarding the
Sunday school and Epworth League men,
bership, and the spirit influencing the
young people and children. as well as the
work OF the Woman's Missionary Society.
Revival reports showed about 500 CONVEX
sions, but the presiding elder was grieved
to say that about % per cent of these
failed to become probationers. In this con-
ha pa1lad n the SariOuS
decrease in the number of probationers no.
ticeable everywhere in Methodism..
In the course of his report Mr.. Baldwin
made powerful plea for the uniting Of the
that each should endeavor to give up some
point and try to come together on a basis
of common purpose and common seeking
for the same goal
Washington District Affairs.
The report on the Washington district
was then submitted by Rev. L. B. Wilson,
presiding elder. it was lengthy, and he
occupied some time in reading it. 1t shove ed
most gratifying conditions of church affairs
at the national capital, In both a spiritual
and financial sense. Subscriptions rd
church benevolences of every character had
increased over the previous year. New
churches had been built at Oxon Hill, st.
Georges island, Damascus and Tenley-
town, and the Rev. VIM. Livingston Bruen,
not member of the Methodist Church. had
given TWO churches, one. Faith Chapel, in
the country beyond Anacostia, and the
other, the Wilson Memorial Church, on 11th
street between G and l streets southeast
The year had been progressive one In
every way. The various institutions such
as the Deaconesses' Home, the Methodist
Home, which had received a bequest OF
$4,000 from the late Mr.. Anthony; the Sib-
ley Hospital, which had proved to be not
only self-supporting, but had added to Its
fund, were all in splendid condition. The
American University had received substan.
tial impetus.
Mr.. Wilson spoke highly Of the Woman's
Home Missionary Societys work, as wei
as of that of the Epworth League anG
praised all the ministers in the District fol
their Unremitting zeal and earnestness
There had been 100 conversions during the
year and there was larger number Of
probationers than ever before. He made
prayerful appeal for united effort which
should restore to Methodism its old prestige
and power.
The morning session concluded with
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