The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-02
METHODIST GROWTH
SAVANNAH MINISTER'S SUBMIT
THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS.
READY FOR CONFERENCE
REV. o. F. COOK, REV. b. ANTHONY
AND REV. j. A. SMITH GO To-
NIGHT.


Reports show Finances of Each of
the Churches TO BE in the Best
Condition of Recent Years-Mem-
bcrship of Each Has Also Been
Materially Increased Auxiliary
Societies Doing WelI-Rev. OsgoOd
+. Cook Preached His Farewell
Sermon.
Reports of the years work were sub
mitted in each of the Methodist
churches yesterday, and, without ex-
ception, show that the churches have
had a most prosperous year; at least
one of them, Trinity, the most pros
porous in a quarter of a century.
The report of Wesley Monumental
Church. submitted by Rev. Ed. F.
Cook, shows that during the year there
has been an addition of 100 members
to that congregation, 66 on profession
of faith and "a by letter. During the
same period the church has lost, either
through removal from the city or other
gain for the year is 70. The entire MEM
bership of the church is now little
over ZOO.
The Sunday school, Mr.. Cook said, is
in better working order than it has
been at any other time during his pas
torate, three years; the Epworth
League is doing well, while the wo-
mans work is in extraordinary good
shape. In the financial department of
the work all the missionary and bene-
fit expenses will be met in full and still
leave surplus, while the general ex-
penses of the church also are in ex-
cellent condition,
From every point of view," said Mr..
Cook, in summing up his statement,
the past year has been the best of my
pastorate as well in the number of
members received as in the work OF
the different departments, and the de-
cided improvement in the church
finances.
At Epworth Church the past year ha!
been the best in its history, showing
as it does, a decided Improvement ir
all departments of the work not ONLY
OF the church, but of the various aux
lllary societies. Fifty-eight new mem
btrs were added to the congregation
which makes the total membership 231
against 45 but few years ago Every
financial demand will be met in full
ana in the department of missionary
work there will be a good sized surplus
From all sources and for all purposes
the church raised 81. .610. Al, which bv far
the greater part is to be applied to the
actual work, as the pastors salary is
largely supplemented by an appropria.-
ton from the Board of Home Mis-
sions.
rally service was held at the
church last night. when the details of
the work in each department were
made known.
To the membership of Trinity were
received SO accessions, 50 on profession
OF faith and Al by letter, quite an un-
usual showing. AS a rule accessions
by letter are much greater than those
upon profession of faith. The church
lost, through deaths, which have been
unusually numerous, and from other
causes, 81, which leaves it with a total
membership of 432.
In his report, Rev. Bascom Anthony
called attention to the fact that in
every month during the year acces-
slons to the church upon profession OF
faith had been received. Another ne
cuiar feature of the past year at Trim
lty is that, beginning with July and
continuing through December, the at
tendance at the night services alone
has been greater than that of both
morning and night sermons during the
preceding year.
The report showed also that all the
branches of the church work are i'm
fine condition, and that the finances of
the church are very much better than
they have been in a great many years.
At Grace Church Rev. Osgood F..
Cook rendered. at the morning service.
report of the entire term of his pas
torate, four years. This shows a gain
to the congregation in that time of $40
members, 103 on profession of faith,
and 267 by letter. In these four years
the membership has grown from 254 to
it's present size, 467. For the past
year the accessions to the membership
have been 80.
The financial condition of the church
is excellent. During the past year there
was raised for all purposes 81, 1888 SO,
more than double the amount that was
raised the year before Rev. Cook be-
gan his pastorate. In the past four
years the church has managed to pay
on its porperty $2,054, which practical
ly clears It of debt, and also, through
the aid of the Church Improvement
Society, has improved both the church
and the parsonage, and bought and
paid for the materials for putting a
floor ceiling and benches in the. Sun
day-school room and making other
needed improvements.
Grace Church also has organized ev-
ry society required by the general con.
ference and they are all in good condi-
tion Rev. Mr.. Cook preached his fare
we'll sermon last night Tonight the
Rev. Bascom Anthony and Rev. ]. a.
Smith will leave for Macon 10 attend
some of the meetings of committees
prior to the meeting of the conference.
Rev. Ed r. Cook will go tomorrow
night.