Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-30
|BEAR OLIVE BRANCH
Methodist Protestants Wei
coined to Conference.
|CHURCH UNITY ADVOCATED
One Government for All Methodism
Hope of the Speakers.
WASHINGTON DISTRICT REPORT
Steady Gain in Membership and
New Churches Shown Through
Past Year.
CHURCH UNITY ADVOCATED
WASHINGTON DISTRICT REPORT

| Representatives Of the Methodist
Protestant Maryland Annual Conference
| were accorded an enthusiastic reception
at the session Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Baltimore Annual Conference to-
day in Douglas Church. when they came
bearing the olive branch and declaring
they will welcome the day when all
branches Of Methodism are united. The
occasion was one to make the heart
of the church unity enthusiast glad, for
| time after time as Rev. DR.. F. T.
Little of Chestertown, Md, and formerly
for five years president of the Mary
land Methodist Protestant Conference,
spoke Of the love Of the members of
his denomination for the mother church
he was interrupted with applause.
The occasion marked the return call
made by members Of the Baltimore con-
ference to the Maryland conference last
year, when the formers representatives
made addresses in which they declared
their hope that the time would come soon
when Methodism would be Joined under
one government, and 1t is declared, was
just as enthusiastic as the one twelve
months ago.
JOIN In Fellowship.
1--WE join hands today in fellowship and
affection" declared DR.. Little. I'm the
years since the separation we have
striven to be true to the great principles
Of Methodism. We say to you here that
we are proud of our mother--the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church-and of her sue
cesses. We love the whole Methodist fam
lily, but In coming together again we
| want terms that will be just to both
mother and daughter"
DR.. Little was followed by Rev. John
| S. Bowers Of Baltimore and Thomas J.
Wilson Of this city, representing the
Methodists Professionals, and Rev. j. St.
Clair Neal, district superintendent Of
the East Baltimore Methodist Eptsco-
| pal churches and veteran member Of
the Baltimore conference.
He pointed out particularly in his ad-
dress that it gave the members of the
Baltimore conference particular pleas
ure to have in their midst members of
the Maryland conference of Methodist
Protestants. He also wished the union
plan godspeed.
District Reports Read.
The business Of the conference at the
session also included the reports Of the
various district Observation-Disclosures DR..
John w. r. Sumwalt Of this city, Rev.
g. c. Bacon of Frederick, Md; Rev. ]. G.
Nicholson of Baltimore. Rev. E. L. Wat
| son of West Baltimore. and Rev. ]. St.
Clair Neal Of East Baltimore.
DIR. Sumwalt was especially optimistic
in his report, declaring the record for
Washington Methodist Episcopal church
es shows steady gain through the past
year, and that the future points to bet
| ter things than the past. In protested
conversions and finances tthe churches
are in an especially hourisLing condition.
he averred.
| Seven new churches have been estab-
lished in different sections of the city
during the past year under DR.. Sumwalt's
direction, and it Is especially gratifying
to him that the advancement has met
with much success in each section in
yaded. 1t was also reported that the con-
ference has received the sum of $3.50
from the Methodist book concern as divi-
dends.
Afternoon Session.
After a recess which begun at 1 o'clock
the afternoon session Of the conference
began at 2;3O o'clock with the observance
Of the Womans Home Missionary Society
anniversary on the program. Mrs. John
Nen presided.
Bishop William E. Anderson Of Chat
| tanOoga, presiding bishop of the con-
| ference, was present, and shortly after
| the opening Of the session officiated at
| the conservation services for Deacon
esses Octavia Hicks and Lucy Slom-
| kowsha. The balance of the program
| for the session includes an address by
Rev. DR.. c. L. Mead. pastor Of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church of Balti-
| more, on THE Great Need of Home
Missions" He will also conduct the
prayer meeting this evening in Pet
| worth Methodist Episcopal Church, Stf
and Shepherd streets northwest. on the
invitation of the pastor, Rev. DR.. Hag
gerty.
DR.. Mead. who is regarded as one of the
most eloquent ministers of the Methods
Episcopal Church. has for some years
past been in charge of the young people:
| work at Ocean Grove, N. j.
This evening the session will be devoted
to an exposition Of the work of the boards
of freedmens aid and Sunday schools
| Rev. DR.. j. Spencer will preside at the
session. and the musical program Of the
occasion will be furnished by the choir
of Wesley Chapel.
Education Board Anniversary.
At the session last evening the anniver
sary of the Methodist education boart
was observed. Rev. +. M. Stone Of tn.
American Methodist University and Rev
DIR. E. S. Triple of Baltimore being tn,
speakers. Mr.. Stone said he believes tn,
opening Of the university is in sight. H,
asserted that more than $500 600 is needet
before the doors will be opened, AM
pointed to the fact that during the pas
year $4,000 has been received in sub
scriptions. Assets of nearly $3,OOO,OO
have been collected
DIR. Triple talked at length on the grea
work of the Methodists in ever LOOKING
out for the advancement Of the cause o
education. He declared they are doing i
today with the idea that education is
far more valuable asset than anythin,
else
Rev. Joseph NJ. NJ. Gray, pastor Of Ham
line Church, was the speaker at the meet
ing of the Womans Foreign Missionar!
Society held yesterday afternoon. He toll
Of the splendid work Of woman for tn,
Methodist cause, and declared that tn
past effort has been mighty.