Evening journal., 1915-03-25

would number Of these pernicious
measures have been enacted into law
but resubmission would have been or
dercd in Kent and Sussex. The tenn
perance forces are to be congratulate
ed on their work. and need now to get
in line for the Legislature that will
give us Statewide prohibition two
years hence.
II has been the effort this year to
see that our Sunday schools were fur
nished with our own literature. and we
are glad 10 report that throughout the
district the schools use only our own
literature. Mems Bible classes have
been organized.
We are glad that our pastors arc Sc
curing more largely the reading OF
our own church papers. the better in
forming themselves and their people.
Methodist Brotherhood.
We have several chapters CT the
Methodist Brotherhood. but they have
been too largely nominal. Tho great
revivals have brought into the church
this year a goodly number of men.
aided the pastor at Rehoboth to or
ganize a chapter recently that is
giving promise of a force that will
direct the social life Of the commun-
ity and protect the spiritual life for
largest development.
The EpwOrth League of tho District
while doing good work. organizing
chapters, senior and junior, is not the
enthusiastic body Of young people Il
was designed TO be.
We have encountered the usual anC
unusual difficulties in raising benov-
olences. There is much sympathy
/ throughout the District with the plar
of the Commission on Finance. It's
! provision to protect the churches
from collections for cause of ever,
sort, is a good one. As far as reports
have come TO me, our benevolence'
are in an encouraging condition, wher
we consider the strenuous times, they
are exceptionally so. The Gambril
! Fund is having attention by most o.
the charges.
Church Membership.
| wish TO call attention of the Con
ference to our record of church mem
bership. | find in many charges wheI
a new pastor comes, that his prede
cessor has neglected the church re
cord. and il takes him and the com
mittee on church records the ontirl
year to get them in shape. Figure
may tell the truth, but not always
because they do not tell the who'll
truth. They do not tell how som
men carry dead wood to swell thei
roster, they do not tell of the merci
less, reckless way some pastors Gu
and slash the record Of membership
they do not tell the conscientiou
manner in which others decline to re
port as members OF the militan
church those who have long sine
Joined the church triumphant. Not
withstanding all of this we will shoy
an increase in full membership, an
if we will show the same zeal in car
ing for these new converts. we ough
TO make a long stride this year.
have urged on circuits, that eac
church have a separate record boo
of membership. and that a COPY O
the deed and incorporation of sal
church be placed in said book Of re
cord
1899 Conversions Reported.
The favorite theme today is reviva
real revival The spirit of the Lor
has been with us. In some charge
the pastors have done most faithfl
work, have prayed planned and lC
, the workers, but the answer did m
/, come. This has seemed the hardl
when some. with possibly no create
effort, and surely no larger plans
desire, have had a gracious revival.
While all the charges report cOnve
sioDs. some have been especially Il
vored. Long years has Bridgevill
waited for just such a work OF graC
as recently Witnessed. The paste
worked, prayed and prophosed for
great revival: it came and 255 pre-
fessed conversion.
Cambridge was rewarded with Il
conversions and everybody happ
Galestown reports 141 conversions.
: Rehoboth. with a population of 25
reports 10 saved in the recent Sc
=. vice. zoar reports 81, Georgetow
, Circuit. 80; Milton, 20; Hooper's L
land. &c: Georgetown, 60; Preston an
Beckwith's. 60 each. and others repor
ing from 80 on down the line. q
number Of conversions on the distri
= as reported to me is 1899.
! In closing this, my fifth report
Z the work on Dover District, I desil
to say, / have followed my usual pla
: of reporting the work rather than Il
J. men. It is not because of lack
: appreciation of these faithful men
! God. OF their work, for they are ;
: deserving. as il | called them all
name and told of their splendid wol
! and sacrifice: it is not because Tho
= are not the equal Of those workir
!, in other fields, in devotion and su
. cess. but the pastors of Dover Di
trict are modest men and accept tl
I compliment by the process of indire
: ton, for the splendid work means Il
: same kind of wOrkmen. The work
I. the year is done and we, the pasto
of Dover District, bring you the r
: port of our laboTs. 1t has not all BEE
smooth sailing. we have been whe
fha u-or1, has bapn hard and digcOura