Evening journal., 1919-05-14

II Is gaining the confidence of the work
crs, the schools and the community.
I've have seen the need Of an automo-
bile for the use OF the general secretary
and the executive committee recon-
mcnds the securing Of same as soon as
funds VIII permit"
The report Of r. Davis Preston. gen
eral secretary. will be given a sfollows:
This report covers what has likely
been the most trying period in the his
I tory Of our state Association, Witness
, ing as IL did the close OF the greatest
war in history and the most terrifying
and destructive epidemic In recent times.
Those who understand our work know
how dependent it is upon normal con
ditions for It's propagation and sup
port.
"Tho successful prosecution Of the
war meant the concentration OF thought
and work OF Christian people upon The
programs Of the government. IL meant
the depletion OF schools Of workers and
the classes Of members and the con-
scqucnt anxiety Of all for the welfare
Of those called upon 20 take up arms.
Just as relief from war was in sight
The epidemic came upon us bringing
FOR a time cessation TO practically all
activity. except such as was absolutely
necessary. The sunday school and
church were especially affected as
places where people gathered in large
numbers. they being required by law
20 close tlll The danger was past IL u
interesting here 20 record that this was
the first time in the history OF many OF
our oldest churches when The Sunday
school did not hold sessions.
1T is with gratitude to God that we
are able 10 record at this convention
that while very many came through
berefl OF loved ones the work OF the
Kingdom Of God through our Sunday
schools grows and shows more prom
isc now than in the past. The various
reports and proceedings OF our conNen-
ton will. I am sne, bear out this testi-
mony Not all progress can be indi-
Gated by figures. In our case our
progress Is better defined in terms OF
experience as your secretary, as ] have
gone into most OF the hundreds or the
state and become intimately acquainted
with conditions.
our increased financial resources or
the past year have made possible a
larger program, and enabled us TO do
a very necessary work, i.e, advertise.
feel our work Is better and more widely
known now. have sought 10 lay en-
phasis upon the organization and work
Of the hundred associations, and there
Is much promise along this line. The
epidemic conditions prevented the
holding of any county conventions. but
/ am glad 10 report that the hundreds
have held conventions as follows: In
Sussex an but three. in Kent all but
one. in New Castle six out OF the ten
hundreds held conventions. II IS not
10 be inferred that all those held were
thoroughly successful. In several cases /
they were not. but at least they gave
Us a valuable touch with workers and !
conditions. and it was "a considerable /
achievement 20 get meetings at all IN /
most cases. Those not held at all were |
hundreds in which IL was not possible |
10 get meeting out Of time. Kent and |
Sussex counties held institutes in April |
at which time much progress was made !
not the least Of which was the flnan- |
cial support pledged by the counties I
90 the state association. We believe |
This step alone marks a new era in our |
work.
1t is gratifying TO notice the !
progress in two Of the main depart
ments Of our work. The county super
intendents OF the Children's Division
met in conference with the state su-
perintendent and general secretary and |
outlined a program for the observance !
OF Children's Week. Reports are com /
ing in which indicate a large measure /
OF success. This is the beginning os /
greater achievement in this department. /
Tile Young Peoples Department Will /
take occasion upon the program OF the
TO tell Of the work done.
would say in passing that there is no
place in our work where 10 would pay
Us better to concentrate and make gen.