The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-17
PRESIDING ELDER WARDS REPORT
To The West Virginia Annual Con-
ference Of The Il. z. Church.

ference of The II. E. Church.
To Bishop Henry Spellmeyer, D. D
l.. L. D., president, snl members OF
the West Virginia Annual Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal churche:
Brethren, in making this my fourth
annual report to you, it is with profound
gratitude to God, our heavenly Father,
the Giver of every good gift, andthe
Dispenser of every gracious providence.
He has graciously sustained us during
the year, and the lives of the brethren
have been precious in His sight. In but
one instance, has real sorrow come into
our parsonages, that in the case of the
death of the little daughter Mary of
Bro. and Sister P. w. Matthew. Our
sympathy goes out to them.
Throughout the year we have sought
to give special attention to revivals, and
aggressive evangelism. The preachers
have been loyal and energetic in this
work, and believe there is not charge
within the district but has felt the touch
of revival power There have been
some notable revivals at various points,
viz: Oakland, with 115 conversions;
Evansville, 100; Blaine, 175; St. George,
70; Mt. Lake Park, 70; Rowelsburg 100;
Pendleton, so, and Tunnelton with 301
conversions. All told there have been
reported to me during the year 1850
conversions on the district, a large per
cent. of which have and will be received
into full membership in the church.
The preachers are careful to organize
probatiOners' classes, so that our young
members come to us better trained than
in former years, and as a result more
of them are gathered into the church
for permanent membership.
The work of the Sunday schools is
prospecting throughout the district.
Our people are loyal to this phase Of
christian work. Our own literature is
almost universally used, except in a few
cases where union schools and union
churches, so called, are involved. In
these cases we always suggest that our
literature is second to none.
Many of our pastors and churches are
active in the promotion and work of
the Epworth League. An active League
is found to be helpful in revivals, social
work Of the church, and in looking after
strangers coming within our borders.
A very earnest and helpful Epworth
League convention was held in June. at
Bayard, W. Va.
We have not done so much this year,
in the way of church building, yet | am
glad to say at Newburg, a splendid two
story brick church, with stone trimming.
is in process of erection. This building
will cost not less than $500. when com
pleted. Bro. f. 0. woodward is labor
ing with his own hands rs well as sup
erintending the erection of this building.
The people appreciate his labors. He
is the best suited, best a,ched preacher
in the conference. He also dons a good
hat and is we'll shod; altogether it cost
more than $l0O-he is also a good
preacher.
The church at Aurora has been I'M
proved at cost of $25, and the money
has been raised to paint the BelIview
phllrcb on tho coy,oo cbor1a
At Bayard the foundation of the
church has been improved at probable
cost of $25.
On the Bruceton charge three organs
have been put into the churches at a
cost of $240. improvements have been
made on Bruceton, and Laurel Run
churches to the amount of 5000.
The church at GAINESVILLE has been
reroofed and painted at cost of some
thing less than 5000, and at Oak Grove
appointment a new organ has been pur-
chased at cost of 800.
Bethel church, on Evansville charge,
has been improved at cost of $3.50, and
Zion church at cost of $50
The church at Grantsville has been
improved costing 5000, and the church
at Fairview costing $50.
Progress has been made in the last
few years in the district, and the pres
ent year finds the district practically
out of debt.
Terra Alta, under the leadership of
j. w. Engle, has paid during the year
debt of $4,000, leaving our fine church
property free of debt.
Oakland has paid a small debt of 5000
during the year.
At Thomas, through the untiring and
heroic effort of w. c. Strohmeyer, an
embarrassing debt of $1,000 was can
celled. Great credit is due him and all
parties concerned in this consummation
so devoutly wished.
At Mt. Lake Park a debt of $500,
which has been embarrassing to the
church for the last eight years has been
paid. Much credit is due the pastor,
+ I NVac+fon