Evening star., 1901-05-18
IN THE URCHES

The members of the United Brethren de-
nomination in this vicinity are much graft
fled at hearing of the prosperous condition
of their work as shown by the reports pre-
sented at their general conference now in
session at Frederick, Md. The statistics
show that in the past four years the mem
bership has increased 5,O59, the total mem
bership being in round numbers 100000
Many church debts have been paid and a
large number of buildings erected, with an
increased valuation of church houses Of
S494,514 and parsonages of s13S,926 The
missionary offerings have increased S25 600
the past year above those reported for
1896 The pastors salaries for the past
year are $110,267 above those of the last
conference. The debt In the missionary So
ciety has been reduced from s2791o.50, on
March 81, 1897, to $40, ,S46.34, on March 80
1901. The debt on the publishing house of
$6ooo0 has all been paid and improve
ments amounting to $4,000 added
1t is further stated that among the 14O
ministerial and 62 lay delegates, two of
whom are women, there are IA presiding
elders, 90 pastors, college presidents and
3 general secretaries and editors. OF this
number 62 are fifty years of age and so
under fifty, thus showing that the Younger
element of the church is in the majority
The conference is the highest legislative
body of the church and meets every four
years.
A number of members of the Methodist
Episcopal churches of this city have re-
Gently become interested in the formation
of a new organization, to be called THE
Brotherhood the objects of which, as
stated by one of those interested, being:
l. The creation of a solidarity of per-
sonal interests in the administration of
conducted as If separate organizations
which is contrary to the spirit of Meth
odism. Methodism contemplates the
churches as bound in common tie and
mutually dependent, to secure noble zeal
because mutual one will be the aim of
the brotherhood.
2. 1t is also designed to give every pastor
the support Of the whole weight of the
Methodism-one toward making the pastor
bear all alone whatever unjust opprobrium
attaches to his administration and another
the suspicion and injustice he suffers In the
eyes Of other pastors who are affected by
rumors In this connection. The brother
hood will aim to sustain every pastor in
his church work and to make his pastorate
successful thereby.
g. The development of higher work and
a broader Christian experience in both pas
tors and congregations, the revival of old
conventional labors that made Methodism
so powerful in earlier days.
A. The discussion of topics relating to the
great movements of life and thought In the
Christian world-theological, sociological,
economic, spiritual, &C.
8. The cultivation of social relations be-
tween near and distant parts of the work
of meetings and brotherhood labors in re-
vivals.
The general assembly Of the Southern
Presbyterian Church, with which the Cen
trail Presbyterian Church of this city,
Rev. DIR. A. w. Pitzer, pastor, is affiliated,
has been invited to hold its next session at
Maryland Avenue Presbyterian Church,
Baltimore. The last named church is though
one of the youngest, one of the most pro-
gressive churches in the denomination. 1t
was organized in 1887 by a colony of thirty
members from one Presbyterian church and
seven others from churches in various parts
of the city. 1t now has almost 500 COM
municants.
Copies of the reports of the Baptist Pub
lication Society for the year just ended
have been received here. The following is
a statement of the business and receipts:
The sales for the year amoppted to $67O-
972 81; books and other merchandise, 1882
94S; periodicals, $2Ss. s.OO2. 49, showing a
slight decrease in books and merchandise
and a gratifying increase in periodicals.
In the missionary and Bible department.