Smyrna times., 1922-10-04

"MethodiSm predOmlnates this ZEN |
insula and the 189 pastors of our
churches are true sons of John Wes- |
ley. They believe in a personal devil |
and triumphant, living, conquering
Christ They believe in conviction for
sin and pardon only through the mer-
its of the atonement in Jesus Christ.
"Our people all belong to the no
bility. We live in one big street. We
know each other and every man is
our neighbOr. When they get rich,
instead of building castles and shut
ting themselves in from the world,
they build a boulevard the entire
length of the State and turn it over
to the public, free and unencumber-
ed.
Another spends his millions to
improve our educational institutions
and we point with pride today to the
finest rural and town schools, COM
pleted and in course of erection, that
are to be found anywhere.
"Methodism's unfulfilled and sa
cred obligations to her supply pastors
in the infirmities of age are begin
ming to move to its consummation.
The Board of Conference Claimants
through its secretary, has apprOpriat-
ed $1,000 to be paid out in 1923 and
$4,000 in 1924 for necessities cases.
The recent survey reveals that fact
that one-fourth of all our charges are
in the hands of supply pastors, that
sum of $1,000,000 raised and invested
will meet their need. A representa-
tive of that board will be present and
address us during the convention.
"Sixteen years ago visionary with
a plan, a dreamer with a goal, a soul
with a passion with voice and pen
launched a seemingly hopeless move
ment in a plea for justice to our aged
and infrm Supply Local Preachers for
relief from the distressing conditions
that confronted them in their retire
ment. Deaf men began to hear. Blind
men began to see. Dumb men began
to speak and steeled hearts began to
melt No monument need be erected.
No tablet unveiled and no memorial
window dedicated to perpetuate his
memory.
Before the chilling autumn winds
have come and after winter blasts
have gone the fall and spring confer
ences will send out check that will
be received through shining tears of
gratitude and quivering lips of praise
Then will come the paean set to a
minor key perhaps but loud enough
to be heard round this old world from
these heroes of the Cross as a tribute
to the memory of their friend, Rev.
David H. Kenny, for his untiring eff
forts and answering devotion to their
cause.
Membership Must Reach the 500 Goal
"Our membership must be increas-
ed A glance at the list of our honor
ed dead reveals thatf act that the grim
reaper is gathering ripened sheaves
from our ranks.
"Our slogan, Five Hundred New
Members This Year. has not met oui
expectation or gripped our members
with determination to reach the goa
Every supply pastor should be on Oui
roll of membership and every loca
preacher should join in helping us il
, the great work which We believe i:
approved of Him who went about do
! ing good.
"Our program this year is a feast
7 of good things prepared by the wis
: dom and Cody judgment of the com
r mittee in cooperation with the presi
dent and the pastor of the convention
church. The cooperative spirit if thu
E pastors of Dover churches has neve
= been excelled. And the cooperation
of our churches and pastors through
t out the State means an opportunit!
!, for our delegates never equaled in Ou
o history
e "My brethren, you are in the cente
: of Delaware where tahe people spell
e hospitality with capital letters. Tn
pastor and people of this church an
: city spare no effort to make your sta,
t among them time long to be remem
$ bered. And should the committee o.
: resolutions run out of adjectives com
q to me.
: 81 desire to express my profoun
it gratitude to you for the honor yo
n have conferred upon me.
Is "No man who has not sensed tn
magnitude of our opportunity and tn
E aim and object of this associatio
i should aspire for this honor. l hav
It given time and money to advance tn
,e interests that are near and dear I
n. our hearts.
al have risen in defense of ever
al trnncantinn nf thic hndnr and rho