Smyrna times., 1912-03-20
REV. DR., ROBERT WATT
SHOWS EXCELLENT WORK
EASTON DISTRICT SUPERlNTEN-
DENT TELLS OF CONDITIONS
Improvements to Churches and the
Amounts Contributed Toward Be-
neVolences During the Year

The report of District Superin-
tendent Robert Watt, of the Easton
district, submitted to Conference
follows: The year now closing has
brought to the toilers within the
bounds of the Easton district some
trying experiences, but the shadows
were among the things that are
temporal and while they fingered
were threaded through and through
with the light of His countenance
that "drives all our sorrow away"
Last July the Rev. Warren Burr,
pastor of our church at Greensboro,
was Frustrated by an illness that
threatened his life. For weeks
our brother fingered in the valley
of the shadow, but the rod and the
staff were with him. He is among
US today not only renewed in bodily
vigor, but with a deeper, sweeter
touch of the life divine, and a keen
er appreciation of the ministry of
the kingdom and patience of Jesus
November that dread scourge scarlet
fever, invaded the parsonage at
Cordova and laid it's hot hand on
the eldest child. For a time it
looked dark, for this sickness not
only interrupted what promised to
be one of the most widespread
revivals that has ever visited this
charge, but the life of the dear boy
hung in the balance. Scarcely had
the fever abated, and the quaran-
tine been lifted to permit Brother
Leonard White to occupy his pulpit
the Sabbath before Christmas, when
again he was housed ON account of
the dread disease having seized the
little girl. Those were anxious
days in that home for that father
and mother, but God was gracious
and the child was spared. In spite
of serious interruptions at that sea-
son of the year when the days count
for much to the faithful minister.
Brother White comes to this con-
ference with an enviable report,
both as to things temporal and
things spiritual. Grit and grace
and Methodist minister. supported
by loyal people, can work wonders.
It was true here. While our
brethren were laid aside, their re-
spective congregations showed them
no small kindness, and the minis
ters of the district aided me in car
ing for the pulpits deprived for the
time of the services of Brothers
Burr ard White.
MiddIetown Church's Good Fortune
1t is fitting that mention should
here be made of seemingly strange
providences which have visited our
church at Middletown during this
conference year. The instances are
rare when a church is stricken as
has this church been this year.
First of all came the failure of one
of the most prominent officials,
whose failure affected not himself
alone, but some of the most liberal
supporters of the church. Then
came the sudden taking off of Gideon
Hukill, Esq, the richest and most
generous giver in the church. and
man whose outside benefactions
far exceed even his large support
of the church. And a rare mar
he was a5 all who have come within
the circle of his big-hearted, gentle
life can testify. With him, bust.
ness, social affairs and politics were
subsidiary to the claims of his
church. Yet withal he was ar
active, public-spirited citizens, non'
more so than he. May. God multi
ply the number of such as this gooC
man, for then will the reproach 81
often heard, ''his interest in bust
ness and questionable politics ar,
an injury to the church" cease
and church will lay it's hand upol
the community life with a frme
grip, and be regarded by the com
munity with deeper respect. From
this brief word we can see how thi
! church has suffered loss almost ir
reparable, not alone as to its in
come, which because of the fact
named is reduced by nearly one-half
but by the removal OF one of God
elect noblemen. And yet you will
hear with keen delight that tn
church is taking no backward step
l am frank to confess that l wa
prepared to be informed in tn
third quarterly conference that
would be impossible to maintain tn
salary of the pastor at the old fig
ure, but instead Of that when Al
fred G. Cox, ESQ.,, the treasure
made the motion inviting the pres
ent pastor. DR.. Vaughn S. Collins
rs to return for another year he said
Middletown, though sorely be
reaved, meditates no backward steI
and no man need fear serving thi