The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-11-12
REPORT OF REV. L. W. ROBERTS.
Presiding Elder Of the Oakland District
to the West Virginia Conference.

Presiding Elder of the Oakland District,
to the West Virginia Conference.
Rev. l.. w. Roberts, Presiding Elder
of the Oakland District, Methodist
Episcopal church. substituted the fol-
lowing as his annual report to that
body at its recent sessions held at
Wheeling.
The Oakland district stretches
along the Backb mountain-the
crest of the Alleghenies-and for pure
water, invigorating atmosphere in
summer and storms and snow-drifts
in winter, we challenge comparison
with any district in the conferences
while the table-lands of these noun
tains are attracting attention as farm
ing lands, and as fruit-growing dist
riot it leads the industry of West Vir-
ginia. The primeyal forests and beds
of "black diamonds" slumbering be-
meath our feet, have attracted the
attention of Eastern capitalists until
the face of the country and its bust
ness interests are being reYolutionized.
Most of our territory is under laid
with coal, and although the industry
is in its youth, the benefits are being
realized in many places.
in making this, my sixth report,
l do so with profound gratitude to
Almighty God for his care and pro-
lection. The health of the pastor has
been good, and faithful work, as the
reports will show. has been done. Yet
we were not without our Affections;
we have had our sorrows, for the death
angel visited the Aurora parsonag
and sister Koch, in her 23rd year,
went out TO return no more. Also
sister Ford, wife of Rev. f. q w.
Ford, whose long life of toll and SER
vice is well known to the members
of this Conference, babe earth toll
and care goodbye and entered into
rest. These brethren have suffered
loss, than which none could be great
er, save the loss of their own souls
and have our sympathy and prayers
"Graciousrevivals occurred through
out the district; with one possible ex-
ception, the charges report some con
versions. Among these, Terra Alta,
Bayard, Centenary on the Brandon
vile charge, Pleasant Valley, on the
GAINESVILLE charge. and Mt Moriah,
on the Albright charge, deserve spec
ial mention. There were III all 73S
conversions. A large number of these
have been received into full connec-
ton.
Glass meetings are generally kept
up and in some places are sources of
greater strength and power, but the
attendance is not what it should be.
In most places the Young people do
not take to class meetings-due large
ly to example.
Sunday School interests have been
carefully considered, and it is safe to
say that the Sunday Schools of the
district were never in better condi-
tion. Two different periods at our
district conference were devoted to
the discussion of Sunday School topics
and were very interesting and helpful.
In accordance with DR.. Neeley's sug-
gestion Geo. E. Bishoff was elected
district secretary. A general feeling
prevails that we ought to do more for
our teachers in the way of helping
them to more thorough preparation
for their work.
The interest of the Epworth League
has been carefully looked after
by those entrusted with its care. A
profitable and successful convention
was held in June at Rowelsburg, and
plan is already perfected by which
the new conference year will begin
with a series of Epworth League raj
lies in each of the five sub-districts,
looking especially to the preparation
of the young people for the revival
campaign and to encourage a greater
interestin Bible and missionary study.
IA successful session of the District
Conference was held Aug. 1912 at
Blaine, W. Va.
Thirteen charges increased the
pastors salaries 1874, two charges fell
below the salaries allowed last year
and seven fixed the salaries the same
as last year. Six years ago $9,301 was
allowed for the pastors salaries; this
year $12, 1886, an increase of 1926 in
six years. While some deficiencies will
be reported they will be comparative
ly small. There is a growing senti.
ment in favor of paying the pastor N
| full.
During the year the Thomas
church, a two-story building hand
somely finished, costing $4,000, was
dedicated. Dobbin, on the Bayard
charge, costing $1,000 and " esley, on
the Mt. Lake and Deer Park charge,
costing $1,000, were dedicated. There
is now in process of erection Mt. Mort
ah, on the Albright charge. At Swan
ton, growing town, shipping point
for large section of country and the
head of new but important charge,