Evening journal., 1915-03-25
BISHOP COOKE
PRAISES PASTORS
ON Peninsula
Compliments District Super
intendents on Number
of Conversions
Says Gospel fires
Still BURN here
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.

Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL.
LAUREL, Del, March 25.-This
mornings session of the Wilmington
Methodist Episcopal Conference with
Bishop Cooke, president, was de-
voted TO the reading of reports OF the
years work by two district superin-
tendents, leaving the calendar clear
for consideration tomorrow of the ju-
bilee fund to be collected the next
two years for retired ministers and
their wives or widows and also the
proposed $500, 900 endowment fund for
Wilmington Conference Academy at
Dover.
Reports Read.
The Methodism throughout the Del
marvia Peninsula, which Whining
ton Conference embraces, had won
derful religious revival was evident
from the reports. They indicate that
about 5000 persons we're converted
during the year within conference
churches.
The report of DR.. r. K. Stephenson,
superintendent of Dover District, was
the first read. He announced more
than 2,100 conversions in the district
When DR.. Stephenson had finished
reading, Bishop Cooke remarked:
I'VE ought to give thanks that
Methodism has not lost the power Of
the Holy Ghost. There are great re-
vivals today, greater than they ever
were"
DIR. Watts Report.
DR.. Robert Watt, superintendent OF
Easton District, was the second men,
her Of the cabinet 10 read his report.
Nobody enjoys a good supper more
than ! do, but they ought not to be
given to pay the pastors salary" DR..
Watt remarked in reference TO the
new financial system. He reported
1,S00 conversions on Easton District
and Bishop Cooke led in singing, "All
Hail the Power OF Jesus Name"
"You have q wonderful time on thl
Peninsula" remarked Bishop Cook
when DR.. Watt finished, "and while tn
pay is small, you seem to be contented
take IL to be a dispensation of God. j
is worth while to be a member of thi
Conference. Money is not everything"
Bishop Cooke told Of the days of hi
carly ministry in the Tennessee swami
lands when he preached on an annua
salary of $3.50 and a pair of socks"
"If all the Conferences would max
reports like this Conference, the churcl
would have sprung twenty-five year
ahead" the bishop later asserted afte
hearing reports from pastors.
''Nhen a man fits the place and tn
people want him, why not return himg
remarked Bishop Cooke, on hearing tha
$50 members at Little Creek have writ
ten requesting the Rev. Stanley Grant
return.
Characters OF the pastors of Dover
and Easton Districts were passed
Superintendents Z. L. Hoffecker, ol
Wilmington District, and G. P. Jones
,of Salisbury District, will read theil
reports tomorrow.
After the minutes had been reat
today, DR.. w. f. Corlran referred tC
the entry about pastoral salaries, ap
portionment that was spiritedly dis
cussed yesterday.
Bishop Cooke suggested the appoint
ment Of a committee to report recon-
mendations on the subject. This pre-
vailed on motion of DR.. Watt and Drs
Corlran, w, G. Koons and Vaughan
S. Collins were named. They reported
later recommending that nine anC
one-half per cent. of pastoral salaries
he apportioned TO the Conference
Claimants fund, based on the esti
mated salary for the current year
This report was adopted.
Refers TO Billy Sunday.
DR.. John Krantz OF the Methods
Book Concern. addressed conference
and turned over a dividend of S3,15
to Wilmington Conference. Urginl
adequate episcopal and pastoral sup
port, DIR. Krantz said::;
BILLY Sunday will hold meetings
six, seven or ten weeks. and receiv
$4,000. Why should we groan an
moan because our Bishops receiv
only $4,000 a year for the big inter
ests they represent. know tha
Bishop Cookies pocketbook looks a
all times like an elephant had steppe
on It ! know that many of ou
Bishops have mortgaged already hal
of their next years salaries TO hel
deserving young men or churc
causes
DR.. Krantz told several humorou
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