Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-23
The Elktop Problem.

NO man has had 20 deal with more
delicate ar difficult problems than pr.
Geo. r. Anderson. our pastor In Elkton.
The unenviable notoricty attaching TO
the name 'Maryland's' Uretnh Green
although other points IN the State were
voxod with tho same conditions. the
marriage mills set up by persons not
in the regular ministry OF any denom-
lination or sect; tho misrepresentation
Dr. Anderson suffered because he res
olutely and consistently declined TO
he directly or indirectly n party 10 any
sort Of bargain relating 10 the mar
lriagc 81 the hosts OF people from out
aide the State who came 10 Elkton TO
be married; the garbled newspaper ac-
counts OF interviews--these are some
OF the elements in a tense and delicate
situation which have made the pastor
ate OF brother Anderson in Elkton one
of unusual strain and anxiety. The
whole story cannot be told here for
obvious reasons. but when told IL VIII
reveal in fine fashion the integrity OF
the man OF whom this report speaks.
Thank God the Maryland Legislature
I has so revised the Maryland marriage
r the past will be removed.
1t is a matter OF common knowl-
e edge that the writer, because he had
y TO discipline a Methodist minister, who
y came 10 our territory as local elder
:. from a Western conference, has had
= his fun share OF abuse. But let thai
f lpass. Thank God no man anywher,
l. can point the finger Of scorn at th'
d Methodist Church as In any way re
!, lated TO the reprehensible practices
~ referred to. And let me say right here
. and say II with emphasis. the ont
p case Of discipline mentioned was tn
G first actionable complaint ever brough
z to my attention. and what was dom
10 is history. In one Of the county paper
, a letter bearing my signature appeare'
% In which an open challenge was made
10 accompanied by statement OF fact
that / had at all times stood read
=. 10 proceed according to the law of on
, ehurch. II grounds for action wer
, laid. But TO even intimate that sue
a course should be followed on mer
. suspicion is unthinkable. II should b
a. said also that the pastorate OF d.
Anderson has been n real blessing I
Elkton Methodism and the communit
as well. The church was great
~ qulckened by gracious revival an
many were converted.
'e "Evengelism-Th Methodist churc
~ must ever find her chief Joy in th
edifcation OF believers and the salvs
ton of the unsaved. When real evar
=. gelism loses It's interest for methodist
that marks the beginning OF the en-
= for us. have often wondered II Gel
a., tain portion OF the time OF an annu
20, conference could not be profitably d.
q voted to study of practical evange
a., lism. Time was when the announcemel
"a. lof a Methodist revival service attrac
al ed the unsaved in large numbers
,e is not so now. The unsaved do n
10 attend our revival services Is q an
IN form complaint among ministers ge
On orally. What is the remedy? Go aft
IN them Lay siege 10 Individual sou
cb Get our own heart right with CD
nd then go after others, just as We 20 a
II ter business or votes.
aid 1T does not require a very exten
by ed survey OF the average church
ed find too many who are lukewar
of iothers backslidden. They have no de
concern over the lost. And not seldo
re- these unsaved are under the same ro
OF with those who bear the badge OF d
ter cpleship.
W. 1T does not call for the wisdom
We the sage 10 predict what would ha
Il - pen if- the average Methodist We're
ty, recognize this fact. He would put In
.cr, vital action the slogan OF our rever
ma Founder, Mr.. Wesley, all at IL and {
Ing ways AT It, When this becomes
ye- reality backsliding VIII be yirtua
far unknown. No soul ever goes ba
by from following after his Master VIII
90; he IL shepherding another soul or see
sa- ing to bring another soul To Chri
iy- And then will the Joy of service flo