Evening journal., 1908-03-19
REPORT OF
DIR. MOWBRAY

The Rev. A. S. Mowbray, presiding elder
of the Wilmington district reported in
part as follows:
''The first privilege Of a report like this
is the Acknowledgement of mercies re-
ceived The Lord has blessed US and kept
us. Yet His mercies have not been un-
mixed with Affections. Mature in life,
rich in experience. and full of labors,
Brother w. r. McFarlane passed from
labor to reward on February II, last. He
died in the 'harness'-an experience he
had devoutly desired. Mrs. Lydia J.
Price, widow Of the late Benjamin r
Price departed this life March 3rd.
Despite the -eNtEaardinary hindFaneea
our churches have encountered, a marked
degree Of prosperity has been realized. a
blessed spirit of revival has refreshed the
churches in many places. Large gifts have
been made toward the payment of bur
densome debts. as well as for the improve.
ment Of churches and parsonages. Gifts
for the support of the benevolent work Of
the church have been sought with care
and diligence. The financial depression, a
serious hindrance everywhere, has been
specially hard on manufacturing centers.
In the city of Wilmington thousands OF
people have been idle and unproductive
for months. The care Of the suffering
poor has been a constant and pressing
burden on the churches, consuming the
greatly reduced revenues Of the Lords
treasury. The resources Of the church for
It's customary work has thus been reduced
by a two-fold process.
Church Helps Temperance Cause.
Very early In the year the whole
church directed its energies and resources
into the great temperance struggle which
will make the year 1907 memorable in
Delaware annals. For several months ef-
forts in other departments of church acti-
witty were greatly reduced, or entirely
given up. A better planned or harder
fought campaign has scarce been known
in the history of the temperance reform.
While that part Of the State assigned to
Wilmington district did not get rid Of the
saloon, the unexampled skill and achieve
ments of the toilers here drew the chief
fire Of the enemy and made possible the
victories in other parts Of the State. The
State Of Delaware will never be able to
pay the debt 1t owes to the heroic and
brilliant leadership Of Rev. Royal w. Ray
mond who came SO near sacrificing his
life in this great struggle. He goes to a
larger field. and Rev. John Nj Arters has
been chosen to succeed him in this i'm.
portant war against the saloon with the
outlay Of several thousand dollars for this
campaign collected at the choice time Of
the year for our benevolent harvest, It Is
no wonder our pastors have had trouble
in reaching their usual standard.
quite a number Of our churches re-
I sponded to the California appeal. and
made generous gifts in addition to those
made the preceding year. Evangelistic
labors have consumed much of time and
strength. More than the usual number of
blessed seasons of refreshing have visited
the district The spirit Of improvement
has also been abroad. Often the two have
gone together.
Progress of the Year.
''charlestown parsonage has been i'm
] proved and an effort begun to pay the
mortgage. on Cherry Hill charge has been
witnessed the greatest revival of the year.
\ The pastor, e. A. Gillespie. a probationer
in the Conference, has seen this victory
without outside aid. under most dis
couraging conditions, and adds 100 proba-
TONERS to the church. Salem church on
i Christiana charge celebrated its centen-
nial last September, and paid nearly s4OC
on debt. The parsonage and church at
/ Christiana have received considerable i'm
/ provements. At Claymont the church has
/ been improved by electric lights, a
/ junior league of 50 members established
and helpful revival service conducted.
/ Colora has been transformed, the people
united, the church rebuilt. and a revival
Of great power resulting in 80 conver-
sions. Brother w. H. Briggs is respon-
sible. Rev. e. f. White is still assailing
debt and sin at Delaware City and is
making good headway. ]. A. Brewlngton
has been doing excellent work at F'be.
nezer. Beside 8 gracious revival at Wes-
/ ley, the church at Ebenezer has been
greatly improved. A new basement room,
new heaters, and metal decorations FOR
main audience room are some Of the
items. A new roof on the Hockessin
church, electric lights and new fence st
Ccontinued on Second Pa@el