The Globe-republican., 1902-05-22
THURSDAY, MAY p, 1902.
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.

NJ. Il.
May Ia, 10 ana 16, and DR.. w. j. Mar
tinda1e, 2. E., in the chair. A number
of the ministers of the different charges
in the district were present, and other
members of the conference were present.
Rev. L. NJ. Riley. of Garden City, deliv-
cred fine sermon Wednesday night, and
Rev. E. N. Cunningham, of Liberal, de-
Iivered good sermon Thursday night.
The time of the conference Thursday
and Friday was taking up in business,
deciding disciplinary points and the read
ing of papers on different subjects per-
tanning to church affairs. The conference
may be said to have been of a literary
character. The papers were of literary
merit, of good character, and treating
the subjects in candor and fairness. DR..
c. j. Howes, pastor at Newton, in COM
men ting the literary character of the
conference, before the League Friday
evening, said the papers would compare
with those of any eastern district confer
ence. The preachers of the Dodge City
district are bright young men, who
earnestly fitting themselves for the minis
try by close study and assiduous attention
TO church work.
The paper read by n. B. Klaine, on the
Steward, his trials and difficulties, was
pleasing to the preachers and seemed to
meet with lDen approval. IL was ear
nestly requested that the paper be pub
1ished, hence its appearance here. 1t
may be the means of awakening an inter-
est in church finances, which was the
aim of the writer, in such places which
need more force and push in church bus
mess. The forward movement of the
church is in the line of business enter
prise. The business part of the church
must be built up correspond with the
Increased growth of the church in power
and. influence. In this commercial age
money and property are the potent fac
tors, and the church being great enter
prise it measures its strength with such
means necessary to carry on its great
work in building up the cause of God and
humanity.
THE STEWARD; his trials and Difficult
ties, by n. B. Klaine.
Moreover it is required in Stewards,
that man be found faithful. 1Cor. Al.
Whether considered from the minis
ter's or the layman's standpoint this is
good principle.
To secure the more prompt and more
exacting work of the Steward, we must
establish the importance of the office.
We could then more readily exalt its
character in our minds, and in our prac-
Tice. There is the difficulty. We do
not magnify the importance of the call
ing.
Paul said he knew both how to be
abased and how to abound; everywhere
and in all things he was instructed both
TO be full and and to be hungry, bot til to
abound and to suffer need.
If that is good doctrine in the spiritual
character it is good for application in the
pra ctical life.
In the BUSINESS calling of the church
slack in great measure. More
earnest and sincere work is needed.
If i were going to establish a business
on a sustaining basis, L would provide it
with all means that were necessary for
its success. In the first place / would
need capital. L must give it attention.
The capital may be in money or in brains.
The attention must be in energy and
Willingness to carry on the business.
I have made it a rule in my life TO look
after the minute details of my business
and have always been successful
Too many prople believe that they have
discharged every obligation when they
simply attend the religious exercises of
the church, and grudginglY contribute
small part of their earnings to the sup
port of the church. All other response
biIity falls upon those who have
official connection with the church
This is not true generally, but there is
too much truth in it. But L have found
faithful, generous and liberal people who
give more than the Lord asks them.
The Board of Stewards ought to relieve
the pastor of the financial part of the
church The pastor who is half the time
worrying about his salary cannot per-
form his spiritual work. This relief
could be had if there was promptness in
collections.
There ought to be systematic work on
the part of the Stewards. The plans
ought to be the best methods and carried
ont fully.
BY reason of neglect on the part of
Stewards the pastor assumes the work