Evening journal., 1911-03-18

Of the Church to inspire men with
such love for their fellows that this
ideal may prevail in all walks of life
The Gospel has in II the power TO
save our cities from anarchy.
Lack Of Children at Public Worship.
I've have noted the absence of chill
I dren in many of our churches at pub
lie worship. The Sunday school re-
ports are generally full of encourage
ment. but the lack Of children at pub
| lie worship Is not to be encouraged
Is It possible that we are educating
a generation of non-church goers?
The Sunday school is an important
arm of service, but IL Il produces men
and women lacking in loyalty to pub
lie worship then it has failed, and be-
comes a hindrance rather than help
TO the Church.
I'VE have paid s49225 on the Dis
trict Parsonage indebtedness, reduc-
ing the mortgage TO $1,6S7.75. When
all the apportionments are paid the
property will be free OF debt. On
the District Parsonage debt Mt. Leb-
anon has paid So; Grace Church,
$50; st. Paul's, S16S.75: Zion Ct,
$3.50; st. Georges, SIS; Colora. So;
I
sballton, $40.
Weaker Churches Placed Under
Society Care.
Il suggested some months ago the
wisdom of placing some of our weak
er, and some of our younger churches
i'm the City Missionary and Church
Extension Society. The purpose is
one Of helpfulness to them, that they
may have during the time of need the
fostering care of the Society, and when
/ they have grown strong enough TO
carry their burdens then their church
property will be decided back to them
again
The plan is to make the Society
holding company for our weak
churches, that they may have the SYM
pathy and cooperation of the best
business men of the Methodism of our
city. | have no doubt whatever Of
the utility and wisdom of the plan.
1t is a progressive policy with great
possibilities. The trustees Of Kings-
wood Church have already taken adj
vantage of the plan and have decided
their property to the Society, and
plans are making in other cases.
Suburbs Drain City Congregations.
Il wish to call attention to econo-
mic conditions which are making II
very hard to maintain our work I'm
some places in city and country. The
use Of electricity as a motive power
is playing havoc with some Of our city
congregations, by making il possible
for the people to live at a consider
able distance from their business. and
away from the narrow limits of the
average city home. These suburban
settlements are growing rapidly:
many OF them at the expense of our
city congregations. During this
transition period great wisdom IS
needed; there must be statesmanship
shown in administration so that our
people may not be lost to the Church.
"ln the country we are suffering
because of tenant farming. In some
cases the tenant is fully the equal In
character and intelligence to the own
er, but being a tenant with no hold
upon the land he may move at the end
of year. II is seen at glance how
the country church suffers when such
conditions prevail to any great extent.
Some of our congregations I'm the
country are much less in numbers
than in former years, due to this
cause. The pastors are not to blame
for conditions they did not make, and
cannot help.
St PauPs a Yirile Church.
st. Paul's Church in this city is
one Of the most virile organizations
that We have. Their support Of the
benevolences is worthy of emulation.
The trustees have sold their property
on Market street, with view to re-
invest the proceeds in a new edifco
at Tenth and Jackson streets. II
built as per plans submitted by the
architect. the new building will he an
ornament to the city and a credit to
our denomination. Ground has been
broken and the building will be erect
ed during this year.
Praise for Wilmington
District Ministers.
1T is with pleasure that I refer to
the working force Of this district.
They are men approved of God.
workmen who need not be ashamed.
Bethel Circuit has retained the
, services Of j. NJ. Lindale for four
years; the affection Of the people for
I him Is charming. He has done we'll
o. "Charlestown is situated on an
{ estuary of the Chesapeake. among tn.
s red clay hills Of Cecil The most re.
q markable Sunday school, of which
e the writer has any knowledge. Is a
p Principle on this charge. and ha,
iiVe-sixths of the enrolment as ~
a average attendance for the year. A
II Charlestown where there has been ,
+ dearth Of spiritual things for man,
i years there has come a gracious re
D, vival and forty-seven souls hav,
e found the Lord. J. T. Price Is tn
happy pastor. Paid on old debts $3.50
IS Cherry Hill has been blest thi
b year. The Lord has visited his peo
a pie, and more than thirty souls hav
been saved, and J. d. Reese. the pas
Il tor. rejoices In the prosperity of hi
: church.
(, Chesapeake City has had a pros
: porous year, and Brother Edwin Gard
ner is popular with ali classes. Ches
. ter-Bethel has had a quiet year. Th
pastor ]. A. Brewington has beel
4 diligent in his work.
2 "Christiana is a quaint village. TIL
church in this place is under the pas
toral care Of c. W. Spry who come
II 70 US seeking admission on trial II
r has wrought wonders An old deb
i on the parsonage Of $40 for twenty
l. seven years has disappeared befor
: the persistent efforts of this timii
! young man; every dollar has beel
u paid. and the district superintendent