Evening journal., 1913-03-26
Progress Methodm the Report of Doctor WaH Eaon District

world with its prudential maxims?
Has he an open ear for the voice OF
policy and deaf ear for the voice
Of the Spirit? No, it would be worse
than a Islander to so assert. But he
is human. He is not insensible to en-
vironment AS are the people, so are
the priests may be true today as It
was in Israel When he finds an Of
fetal board so taken up with matters
other than the salvation of souls, and
a church so engrossed with its per-
sonal affairs that not one-third Of its
membership attends special services,
he is apt to become discouraged and
turn back in the day of battle There
is a mutual responsibility which must
be faced by both preachers and peo-
pie The preacher on his part must
speak the truth in no uncertain
tones. The social and financial stand
ing of lukeworm and blackslidden Of
ficials must not deter him in the per-
Torrance of his task He will need 10
cry aloud and spare not, yet withal, he
will need sanctified tact, and a judy
IT,
q message sweetened by compan-
ionship with Jesus Christ, II the de-
sired spiritual results are TO be at
tanned And on the other hand the
church must be 'Aarons and Hurrs
TO hold up the hands OF the preacher
that the battle go not against him. No
minister is equal to the task alone,
He should have the fullest cooper
alton of the laity. Why not a return
to the days of the praying bands
when godly, consecrated laymen de-
voted themselves to the WORK of revi-
val with tremendous power? In any
event when the Methodist Church fails
/ in direction of genuine, aggressive
] evangelism, the failure Will be dis
astrous. She must not fail The
signs Of the times are propitious
She is catching anew a vision of her
Redeeming Lord and the outcome Is
not in doubt
From information at hand IL looks
as though the Easton district would
reach the ten per cent increase call.
ed for The spirit Of revival in some
quarters of the district has beer
abroad
Many Conversions Reported.
Notably in Kent county, Maryland
/ has this been true. At Rock Hall
where the Rev. John w. Prettymar
is in his first year, there have beer
200 conversions, and Brother Pretty.
man has seen over 300 souls convert
ed, for wherever he went to assist
others the fire burned and souls were
saved And this church is a goot
illustration Of the fact that a reviva
Is the best solution OF the problems
that vex both pastor and people fol
the revival followed by extensive ant
much needed improvements to the
church property TO the amount Of
$1,000 all of which is paid. an under
taking absolutely impossible for years
past. I shall be surprised II this
does not take its place among the ST..
! 600 appointments of the district The
Rev. Ollie Connelley pastor at Piney
Neck, reports 20 conversions, finance!
in better shape than for many years
Including substantial improvements I,
the church property. DR.. Lucius E
Barrett. in his fourth year at Chester
town, rejoices in an ingathering of {
hundred souls. and this staid, con
sentative church feels the thrill of it
early days.
"What a glorious way In which L
celebrate the thirty-seventh year o
, his service in the ministry, for Oh
{ record will show that the past yea
: has been one of the most fruitful il
a ministry of over a generation. Tn
, dead line with Dr. Barrett is lin
as yet invisible, and be It said wit
, Just appreciation, Chestertown
not clamoring for a beardless youtl
: in her pulpit but unanimously insist
ing that her present pastor be re
, turned Not a whit behind the chief
est in spiritual fruitage comes tn
Rev VIM. e. Matthews. of Smyrn
, Circuit. with 107 conversions thi
year. and $50 during his pastorate G
, FIVE years in this charge. Rev.
w. Townsend, pastor or Cheswold,
conference classmate OF DR.. Bar
rett's, has had the great joy Of re
: ceiving IS practitioners and of see
ing the literally made new. OWN
to repeated and severe losses in II
: membership. the outlook for TIL
church was very dark, but this trie
y and true son OF the church, a ma
: honored by all. determined that
would in the closing year of his pa
Z torate put the promises to the ties
u Undismayed by material hindrancC
. he pushed the battle to the gates an
= has the satisfaction of knowing thi
a he leaves the church stronger
e every way than it has been for mar
s years. When Brother Townsend WI
g sent to Cheswold the main thougl
r was TO give an honored, hard-work'
j. minister lighter work, but the har
e of God was in that appointment