Evening journal., 1918-04-04
N. P. Church
FULL OF VIG0R
War No Bar TO Southern
Methodists' Advancement,
Preachers Say
OPTIMISM AT
THE CONFERENCE


BALTIMORE, Nd. April 4s-Optimism
was the keynote Of the ono hundred and
thlrty-fourth session OF the Baltimore
Annual Conference o. the Methodist
Episcopal Church South that opened
yesterday morning at the Central
Church, EdnondsOn avenue and Strick-
or streets. II will continue today, to-
morrow and Saturday. Delegates, lay
men and clerics were present IN large
numbers, representing Maryland, Viz
gina and West Virginia, and Bishop
James Atkins, Of Wayneville, n. c., pre-
sided. The session was given over to
roll call. appointment OF committees
and presentations Of reports from
churches. A special committee OF five
was appointed TO draft resolution ap-
pealing 10 the Governor not to sgn
the racetrack bill now awaiting his Sig
nature.
Special emphasis was laid upon the
Importance Of keeping the program OF
the conference intact, and the following
resolution was offered by the Rev. lr.
Carlton d. Harris, president OF the
Board Of Missions and approved by the
body:
'sWhereas, The impression has been
created by erroneous press publca-
tions that this conference is officially
related 10 a patriotic and prohibition
meeting 20 be held at the Lyric Thea
tre IN this city on Friday night April
5. and
''Yhereas, This conference by it's ac-
alon, last year. fixed Friday night OF
3 the Conference week as the time for
holding the anniversary Of dts Board
Of Missions, and
~Nheress, A program has been pre-
pared In conformity to the provisions
OF its dicipline; be If
Resolved, That this Conference can
& obviously have no oflcial relation what
ever to the Lyric meeting, FOR the rea-
son herein recited.
'-'Resolved. That this Conference is
IN hearty accord with the purposes
OF the Lyric meeting and regrets that
this previous arrangement will prevent
Its participation 10 the service. 10 con
graduates the Ani-Saloon League on the
brilliant victory won by the adoption
Of the Federal Prohibition Amendment
by the Maryland Legislature and prays
that the time may not be far distant
when our country will be under nation
81 prohibition. This conference, as a
part Of our grcat church is solidly be
hind our government in It's stupendous
task to make the world safe for democ-
racy and will strive to do its part by
the infusion OF the Spirit Of Christ into
st TO make democracy safe for the
world"
The reports from churches were most
encouraging. During a year bristlnS
with hardships In the political and in
dustrial world, the churches represented
IN the conference have. shown excep-
tionai spiritual development and finan
cial vigor. Large numbers have been re
ceived into the church on confession Of
faith, and Sunday schools and Epwortt
Leagues have shown constant increase
Of enrolment and stimulating activity
The bonevolences Of the church were
shown to be fourishing, and several
announced their ability to support for
eign missionaries The work Of con
siructing new churches or parsonages
has been unchecked by war activities
and almost all reports announced an in
crease In the salaries Of olergymen. All
seemed well up Ia payment Of current
expenses paid and "Oyerpaid" was
oDlHtuutig IrNcdbcut anu 1Nlnc dAANNuul-
Cd a surplus in church treasures. The
Rev. w. e. Holley, formerly Of Sud-
brook, gave an interesting account Of
present church work among the soldiers
ct Camp Meade, and the Rev: Charles l..
De Long, pastor OF Wilkens Avenue
Church, claimed the largest Sunday
school IN the district, the enrolment
being Gas members. He has also organ
lied junior church, with 100 mem
bers, that has proved most successful.
AS part Of the ofloial program of
che conference. DR.. Lynn Harold Hough
former pastor OF Mount Vernon Place
Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered
IN the afternoon the first OF series OF
O'Clock lectures upon christianity
and the Great War" TO be given daily
during the conference at Mount Vernon
Church. The lecture was q brilliant
dissertation upon Martin Luther and hi.
relation to the present war. Dr. Hougt
regards Luther as the forerunner OF
democracy, and, because Of him, b,
considers the student Of history will
be able to understand why the German!
that opened, through the door Of thu
Reformation. the thought Of indivldua
religious liberty should have closed tn
door Of individual liberty with q ban.
in the twentieth century.
The twenty-sixth anniversary Of th
Board OF the Epworth League was hel,
at night at the Central Church, amonv
the speakers being DR.. F. S. Parker, o
Nashville, Tenn, and Dr. Din S. Solt
|of pclffruo~o