The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-04-05
METHODIST YEAR
Continued from Page one.) }

1t will take some time for the
churches to get adjusted to the new
order of enlarged districts, and to
realize that the work of the district
superintendent is somewhat different
from that of the earlier presiding
elder, and that the leaders of the
church have felt that this office
should be more largely administra-
tive, and that the very frequent Sab
bath services conducted by the pre-
siding elder were not essential.
However, during the period of transi-
tion in thought and purpose of the
church, l have endeavored to give
the charges of the district as fire.
quent preaching services as they had
when the districts were smaller.
In order to do this, have preach
ed at nearly all of the quarterly con-
ierences in the country charges, and
it has been pleasure to see how
many times it has been possible to
secure large congregations on week.
days, even during the busiest sea-
sons of the year. This work, how
ever, has made necessary almost in
sessant travelling, and while visiting
the country charges, ! frequently
have travelled among them a week at
q time. We have gone too fast to
count the miles and have been too
busy to keep an accurate record; but
on one of our leisurely trips we
drove one hundred and sixty miles,
and conducted or took part in seven
teen different meetings. But the
work has been delightful and we
have no grounds for complaint.
In coming to this district we have
been surprised at the real strength
and great possibilities of the charges
committed to our care. The farm
ing section of Northeastern Pennsyl
vania is inhabited by some of the
slearest Drained and strongest man
hood and womanhood in our nation,
and the pastors who are assigned to
this field of labor have the inspira-
tion of helping in the moral and
spiritual development of those who
will occupy commanding positions
among our people. 1t has been a
source of real pleasure to become ac-
quainted with this section Of Meth
odism and to learn something of its
aspirations and possibilities. We
have, in the mining section of this
district, mission field of no small
Importance. Here the ends of the
earth meet, and to reach these in
coming thousands with the message
Of the gospel, and to help them into
an intelligent understanding and
appreciation of the benefits of a
Christian American citizenship, calls
for heroic effort and the spirit of the
apostles. A very significant and en-
eouraging work was reported by the
pastor at Carbondale, when the an
nouncement was made to the quar-
terly conference that through the in
spired efforts of one of the class
leaders of that church, a young man
who is working in the mines, twenty
two Italians had given evidence of
sound conversion and an earnest de-
sire to bring forth fruits meet for the
kingdom. These men have been
formed into a class, and they meet
with their leader three times a week,
and nearly all of these who are the
heads of families conduct family
worship. Our Italian missionary at
Scranton is now regularly preaching
to the class at Carbondale in addi-
tion to his Scranton work. The
needs of the unsaved masses all
about us in the country and in the
city are sounding a challenge to the
leaders in our various churches
which they must hear. We trust
that with prayerful effort and earn
est preparation they will endeavor
to supply these needs in the real
spirit and with the pure gospel of
the Son of God.
Fifty-six pastors, forty-seven be-
ing members or probationers in the
conference, and nine being supplies,
have ministered most efficiently to
the churches committed to their care.
They have preached regularly at up
wards of one hundred and thirty ap-
pointments, have been faithful in all
pastoral work, have conducted
months of evangelistic meetings, and
have looked after all of the interests
of the church. In reviewing the
work, which has been so extensive,
it will be necessary to present much
that is worthy of personal mention
in the form of briefest epitome. 1t
would be satisfaction could we in
dulge ourselves, to mention every
person and every charge by name;
for all have wrought most earnestly
and accomplished much, as results
will show; but your time is precious
and we prefer to condense rather
than compel the secretary to edit.
While the health of the pastors
and of their families generally has
6OOui dhllCllOhS nave COllS u
some of our parsonage homes. Jas
l.. Race, who was finishing sixty-twc
years in the Christian ministry, anC
hfty-three in the service of oul
church and conference, was called
to his reward while visiting at the
home of his son, in Fairmoun
Springs, w. Va. We shall miss hi!
face and voice, and it will be many
years before those who have knowI
him will forget the inspiration of his
energetic, enthusiastic and godly life
He was in his first year of the pas
torate of the Tripp Park church, ant
was starting with promises of grea
success when he suddenly ceased t.
work, and entered upon the reward
of his abundant labors. Brother
c. Simpkins, who was living in sup
erannuated relationship at Hawley
entered upon rest in the triumphan
faith of the Christian. Brother w
T. Schenk, our pastor at Pleasan
Mount, was sorely bereaved Wednes