Evening journal., 1911-03-16
.EASTON DISTRICT
WORK REVIEWED
Or. Watt EegretS Presence Of
Saloon In the Territory
in His Ii. r [
URGES RIGHTEOUSNESS
ABOVE PARTY PkINLIPLLS

The Rev. Robert Watt. superinten-
dent Of the Easton District, submitted
his report to Conference today. Dr.
Watt said:
Rural New Castle, part of which
lies within the bounds of Easton Dis
trict, is still under the domination
of the saloon. Politics proved more
potent, as usual than love of righteous
ness, and the fear OF losing a United
States Senatorship, was more infiu-
entail than a desire to exercise The
whiskey devil. Let us not be too
hard on the political boss, either local
or general. That particular breed
exists. and fourishes, by the permis-
sion OF the voters, many Of whom
are nominally, at least, processing
Christians. l have found myself
wondering, not for the first time. how
ever, just how far we are jutihed IN
depending on the non-partisan method
as a means of settling this problem
OF all problems. IL seems to me
that we had better heed the voice OF
God, instead of the voice Of policy. as
II cries, prepare ye the way of the
laOlus IL httll6 tNlutAi lldl dh lOHH
as we are content, preachers and peo-
pie. 10 march I'm the ranks, and set
partyism above patriotism, so long
viii the politician fool us with smooth
promises. II the hour has not struck
for a party that represents first Jesus
Christ and His church, and the inter-
ests of Righteousness, | misread the
signs OF the times. Personally I have
M nora e., tba =, a ~, o, ChfhhoIofh NJ
such party, but ! have tremendous
care as to whose banner march
under. Methodists should be too big
to take the orders OF party boss
whatever the case.
Let II be distinctly understood that
I'm what is here said no intimation cf
reflection is to be cast on the man
agement OF the recent campaign In
Rural New Castle. Il was carried on
with vigor, and ability, and the breth-
rem of the Anti-Saloon League did so
far as anyone can see as well as any
could have done. But they were up
against an impossible proposition,
that is all, for tricks that are dark,
and ways that are vain the politician.
who is for his party first and last and
all the time, has us In the expressive
language of a somewhat well-known
American citizen, beaten to fraz-
zle.' s<-
"The time worn fallacy. keep tho
saloon out OF politics. is fooling the
saints. When the Federal statutes
creating the iniquitous internal rev
enue laws, when the laws that license
a public menace are repealed. the
saloon will be out Of politics. but not
till then. IL is I'm politics hard and
fast. God knows we would be moro
than glad to get out of politics by the
repeal OF all the laws that govern this
traffic, and by making It unlawful
under the Federal Constitution either
to manufacture or sell intoxicating
liquors. On the main issue the de-
liverances of our church are straight,
and clear, II remains but for her min
listers and members TO vote as they
talk. That the Methodist Episcopal
Church could be a tremendously pow
erful factor under such conditions
cannot be questioned. May God
hasten the consummation."
Pastors Are iii.
Mention was made Of the serious
illness Of three ministers on the Eas-
ton District. Revs. " S. Collins, A. w.
Wise, and ]. c. Mccoy, all Of whom
have recovered.
Several of the churches have been
improved. Crumpton. Kenton. Mary
del. and at Henderson new parson-
age built. Old debts have been paid
in many places, the total amount paid
for debts and improvements was over
$4,000.
Ten charges have advanced the SAL
airy Of the pastors. They are Easton
from $1,000 to $1,000; Chestertown
from 81 100 to $1,000; Ridgely from
$500 to 1000. and II the present pas
tor returns, the Rev. w. z. Habbard,
the charge becomes a $1,000 station.
Smyrna goes from $1,000 to $140o,
Royal Oak advances $125, and Clay
ton, Queenstown. Tilghman's Island
Henderson, and Galena $50 each.
There is a decided gain over last
year in the contributions Of the Dis
trict to the benevolences. Chester
town heads the list with a gain OF
S264, and Easton and Odessa come
next, having made large gains.
Church Hill, Marydel, Cordova, Queens
town, Trappe, Wye. Piney Neck, Ches-
void, Pomona, st. Michaels, Smyrna
Circuit. Crumpton, Galena, Royal Oak,
oxford, Cecilton, Rock Hall, Smyrna,
Bayside, Clayton, and Centreville.
The three churches in the confer
ence that pay as much TO the benevol-
ences as TO. the salary are all on Eas-
ton District, they are Smyrna, Ches-
tertown, and Middletown, and Middle
town is the heaviest giver considering
its membership, in the conference.
There have been revivals IN almo'
everv charge on the district, the lafr
est baing at Marydel, G. r. Neese, Pas
tor.