Evening journal., 1913-03-26

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
CRISFIELD. Nd. March 26.-The
Rev. Robert Watt, superintendent Of
the Easton District. Wilmington NJ E.
Conference in his annual report to
the Conference today said:
1t is an open secret that these an
nual reports are by not a few, con-
sidered a sort of necessary evil to be
endured with as good a grace as pos
sible in so much so that some face
tious brethren have gone so far as 70
suggest that leave to print might be
graceful way 10 relieve the patience.
of the conference and save valuable
time This conception of the situa-
ton is based upon the theory that
these annual reviews are chiefly for
the exploiting of supposed skin and
talents and ability Of the district SUI
perintendents His share In the glory
of the achievements OF his district is
relative only. No general ever won a
battle without an army, and an army
made up Of men who for the sake OF
their country's veal counted not
their lives dear unto themselves.
When 1t is remembered that for
twelve long months, men have toiled
ia fields that have been none too
fraitful, either In opportunities or re-
suits: fields so beset with disheart-
ening circumstances that more than
one discouraged minister has been
tempted to wonder whether he was
ever actually called 10 the ministry;
fields that have been diligently culti-
waited with skill and ability of a high
order. and all TOO often with woeful
lack of sympathy and cooperation,
the task set for the district guperin-
tendent Is not one Of self laudation,
but in the nature OF an effort to do
scant Justice to the men who have In
a large measure. contributed TO what
ever of success that the year has pro-
duced. From this viewpoint the per-
eonal element takes subsidiary
place. and our hearts are stirred by a
gracious sympathy, for we be breth-
rem. members of a royal brotherhood
unlike any other on earth.
The long day of service. a day
withal. full of the sunshine and good
cheer of a gentle, faithful. consecrated
minister OF Jesus Christ. came to a
close last December in the oxford
parsonage when the Rev Elijah
Emory White went to his browning
Truly a father IN Israel has fallen.
II is not within the providence OF this
report to speak at length of the vir-
tues Of our glorifed comrade, that re-
mains for che who knew him long and
Intimately In conference fellowship.
To me Brother White was the ideal
gentleman and minister To know
him was fraught with both pleasure
and profit Association with him on
two districts taught ne to love and
reverence i'm more as a father than
as a member Of the district force II
envy of his more favored brethren
ever stirred mis- breast. he gave no evil
dence OF IT, His gracious, courtly
kindly bearing. his great loving
heartedness. his magnanimoCe dispo'
eition. made him always delightful
companion. A frequent guest In his
home furnished me abundant oppor
tunity to know him IN his inner life
life as unsoiled by seldshness as
rhilds, as pure as lily. No wonder tn
PEOPLE he ministered 70 loved him wit
< deephearted and genuine devotion
Eis closing moments were like th
slumber OF a tired child that finds III
haven in its mothers arms. and tn
beautiful smile that fingered on BIZ
Rorn feature. spoke OF a light nee
seen on land OF sea- He has respond
e. T. his last roll call. but he hear'
d welcome sound IN the well donl
good AMI faithful servant from th'
lips Of the Master whom he so Ions
and ardently served.
q in the early summer the Rev Ra,
r. Lewis. one Of the most talented
and effective Of our younger min
isters. was compelled 70 leave Gale
IA charge where for over two year
his ministry had been pre-eminenti'
Successful as viii be seen in the fac
that from a three church circuit It be
came a station with no reduction Il
salary Most reluctantly did the PEG
Die consent to the release OF thei
devoted pastor. but his frail healu
made il imperative that he give al
his remaining energies 70 an enor
to regain what had been lost. Tn
brethren will be interested 70 kno'
Rat there are good prospects for
complete recovery. The work ha