The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-10-04
PRESIDING ELDER WARDS REPORT
Made to the West Virginia Conference
al SiStersYiIle Yesterday.


Monday afternoon Presiding Elder r.
B. Ward Of the Oakland District, NJ. E.
church, accompanied by Rev. J. 3.
Workman, pastor of ST. Paul's church
of Oakland, left here for Sistersville.
West Va, where the annual conference
of the Methodist Episcopal church is
now in session and will continue for the
balance of this week and into next
week.
BishopJ. W. Hamilton is presiding at
the conference. More than three hun
dred ministers are in attendance.
Yesterday Presiding Elder Ward pre-
sented his report of the work done under
his supervision in this district. The re-
port, IN full, follows:
ITO Bishop j. w. Hamilton, D. D.,
LII. D., President, and Brethren-I am
permitted to say that this has been
year of earnest and persistent toll if not
with tiattering results, at least gratifv-
ing in more instances than one.
"The Oakland District comprises a
large territory, including most of Gar
rett county, Maryland, and most of
Preston, Tucker and portions of Grant,
Randolph and Barbour counties in West
Virginia.
1--WE have twenty-five pastoral
charges within this territory, with
one hundred and twenty-three preach
ing places, including ninety-four church
buildings, valued at $l97, 700, and twen-
ty-three parsonages, valued at S24, $50,
with church membership of about
$500.
The work of the year has gone for
ward to steady and systematic order as
| think results will show.
CAS- the heart of this district lies
within the Allegany mountains at an
altitude of 5000 feet above sea level.
the climatic conditions affect our revi-
val efforts no little. I have been urg-
ing our people to arrange to hold our
special services earlier in the autumn so
as to be favored with less changeable
weather conditions.
During the year 100 conversions
throughout the district have been re-
ported to me, goodly number of which
have been received into the church in
full membership. Where special atten-
ton is given to our probationers a large
percentage is saved to the church.
I'VE have within the district 107
Sunday schools with 875 officers and
teachers and about $500 scholars. Our
schools are well organized and furnish
ed with our own literature. Most Of
them are organized into missionary So
cieties.
In nearly all Of our towns and in
some Of cur country work Epworth
Leagues are organized and are doing
effective work in training our young
people in christian service and denomi-
national loyalty. A very helpful and
enthusiastic Epworth League convention
was held at Blaine in the month Of June.
We could not get along we'll without
our district conventions.
cat Hambleton, on the Parsons
charge, a commodious frame church.
costing $4,000, was dedicated in Novem-
Der by Dr. Compton. This was a great
victory for our church after several
years struggle. The debt was provid-
ed for and has nearly all been paid dur
ing the year.
ION the headwaters Of Licking Creek,
St. George charge, a new church was
built costing 500 and was dedicated by
the Presiding Elder Most of the cost
Of this building was provided for by
Bro. n. A. w. Laughery. He deserves
great credit for the sacrifice thus made.
"At Bruceton, after years of sacri-
flee and toll, beautiful church costing
S25G0 was built and last October was
dedicated by the Presiding Elder assist
ed by Rev. J. B. Workman. The debt
was all provided for
AT Swanton, after years of toll and
repeated efforts a beautiful frame
church costing $4,000 has been built and
is now ready for dedication. We had
hoped to be able to dedicate before
Conference but have been compelled to
postpone until October DIST, for which
occasion the writer has been engaged
Oakland has added improvements to
church and parsonage during the sum
mer to the amount of $500 all of which
has been provided for. Friendsville has
likewise improved church and parsonage
to the amount of 500, all of which has
been provided for Crellin, on Aurora
charge, has improved fhe church at a
cost Of $3.50, and some indebtedness of
several years standing has been paid,
Parsons has raised during the year more
than $1,000 in debt paying and improve
ments on church and parsonage proper
ty.
THE Blaine appointment. under the
efficient management of j. H. Funk,
has built and paid for a beautiful and
commodious parsonage, costing all told