Smyrna times., 1912-03-20

revitallZe and mt the church to do
His will. Until recent date,
Easton district led the conference,
one district excepted, in the matter
of commodious, substantial, we'll
appointed churches. The Methodists
of the early days within the bounds
of Easton district, built for the
future as these goodly structures
testify.
Church Improvements Made
There have been extensive i'm
provements to the church property
at two points in the district, viz,
Easton and Royal Oak. The addi-
tion of stone front of Port Deposit
granite to old Ebenezer Chur :h in
Easton, makes it one of the most
imp posing and attractive churches in
the conference. \ more harmonious
and symmetrical piece of church
architecture cannot be found within
the bonds of the Wilmington Con-
ference. In response to a request
as to the outcome of the reopening
day services. the following letter
was received: 1--WE did fairly
well: SIS, 600 asked, $5, $50 given.
DR.. Krantz rendered splendid ser
vice, but best of all the Lord was
with US, and a most delightful
spirit prevailed. Small wonder
that more was received than was
asked. When the people give as
unto the Lord, the result will al
ays be delight full. Brother Thorn
as Elmer Terry is closing four years
of fearless leadership in Easton,
and the good effects of his ministry
will endure long after he has gone
to his reward, tor the character of
the work this good man has wrought
cannot be ephemeraI, it must en-
dure. The church has reached it's
red letter day under the present
pascorate. At Royal Oak miracle
in the form of church renovation
has been wrought. We have at
this point society more than 100
years old, served during its history
/ by some Of the ablest men in Penin-
sula Methodism, some of whom are
still in the active ranks. For years
the building has been in a forlorn
condition, 1ilapidated and unsightly
without ard within. Today the old,
unattractive structure is replaced
by one of the most beautiful
churches in the conference. The
effort necessary to work this miracle
was like making bricks without
straw. But grit and grace won the
day and this beautiful temple will
long stand as a tribute of a loyal.
self-sacrifcing pastor and people,
whose love for Methodism finds ma.
terial expression in this work and
labor of love. Too much cannot be
said of the self denial and courage
of the Rev. Ivanhoe Willis, whose
leadership inspired the people to
rise and build.
Our official year book of 1911
shows that the total Indebtedness on
church property in our conference
is $l02, 0CO, and of that amount
Easton district has SO, 9O6, which has
been materially reduced this year.
The most notable achievement in
debt raising was at Townsend, the
Rev. L. L. McDougle, pastor,
where for nine years a troublesome
debt was permitted to exist, which
had in that period equalled nearly
one-half the face of the mortgage
in interest. Early in the year
Brother McDougle sought to interest
his official board in an effort to lift
the mortgage. Some were timid
others doubted whether the time haC
come whea it was wise to agitatC
the question, so that not much en-
enlargement was given to the pastor
to proceed. But the average Meth
odist minister is not very easily
discouraged. Early in the fal
Brother McDougle made a persona
canvass looking toward the complet,
payment of the obligation. So vel
did he succeed that by the middl,
, of December four-ffths of tn,
money needed was in hand, ant
the balance in sight. This not onl!
: meant hard work. but tactful ant
skillfull management. To the credi
, of this hard working minister b,
! said that victory was won withou
resorting to single device of an,
sort. questionable or otherwise
J The money to wipe out tn,
mortgage was personally solicite,
) and freely given by the people
! No wonder one of the leadin,
. officials said to the writer, :"
never saw anything more nieel
8 done, the method was unusual, bu
q we liked it, The method pursue
t in this case meant harder work tina
e though All effort had been made j
. the church on a given dav. but