Evening journal., 1922-03-23
DIR. WATT TELLS OF GOOD YEAR ON
WILMINGTON DISTRICT DESPITE
DEPRESSION; NO CUTS Nv SALARLESi

ture was erected And with a large
financial outlay facing them these
people might have plead an allbi in
view Of local claims but instead they
actually Increased their Centenary
over last year. The church feels that
with a pastor in the person OF
Charles c. Harris. and a former
pastor in the person OF our own
william G.. Koons. success Is as
sured.
"Brack- Eek. one OF our best sub
urban charges. has completed a new
home for the prophets OF the Lord
who from time TO time may serve
as pastor. the cost being $500,
and II viii double It's Centenary Of
fering this year. One wonders II
from year TO year we get the real
drift Of these facts. For example,
there listens to this account today a
consecrated Local Preacher. who a
few years ago started this church,
serving for mere pittance. It's
growth will appear when we remem-
her that six years ago It's contribu-
ton 10 the benevolences was S12,
total for ministerial support being
s1Os. and debt OF So 400. Today its
total for ministerial support Is ST.
$40. Centenary, $500. and s1,4O0
paid on debt. and Brother r. High
Adams, the pastor. smiles and says,
look out for us. we're coming too
In speaking OF our rural work,
Our hat Is on 10 our brothers who
toll in these dimcult. sometimes
amidst difficulties and in the face
Of obstacles grave enough TO dismay
the most stout-hearted The Dis
trict Superintendent has occasion
10 test at intervals what these men
experience most Of the year. To
skid about dizzily on slippery,
treacherous roads is far from a
nerve sedative. And In many in
stances the territory to be covered Is
80 extensive that from three to four
visits a day Is the limit OF pOssibil-
/ ity. To wade on foot through mud
and snow where the roads are i'm
passable for any sort OF vehicle,
visiting the sick, gathering benevo-
lent monies. represent hardships un-
known to the dweller in the towns
and cities And these men, more
praise to them, rarely complain,
seldom set up aiibis, but they Just
plod ahead and as one brother
rather familiarly put Il, bring home
the bacon
Ever since the FIRE which a few
years ago wiped out our new church
at North East. our people have felt
the necessity OF certain changes In
their property. made necessary by
the importance OF larger service
for the community. Until recently
a heavy debt deferred them from
making any additional outlay. But
lthe debt gone they have this year
completely transformed theiI
church. making II one OF the mosi
attractive on the district. Brother
d. J. Givan is much beloved by hi
people and Is having gratifying sue
cess IN his pastorate.
mo man has had 10 deal with
more delicate or difficult problem,
than Or. George T. Anderson ,ouI
pastor In Elkton. The unenviable
notoriety attaching to the name
Maryland's Gretna Green although
other points in the state were
veNed with the same conditions; the
marriage mills set up by persons not
in the regular ministry OF any de-
nomination or sect. the misrepre-
sentatlon DR.. Anderson suffered be.
cause he resolutely and consistently
declined 10 be directly or indirectly
a party 10 any sort OF bargain re.
iating 10 the marriage OF the hosts
OF people from outside the State
who came to Elkton to be married
the garbled newspaper accounts oi
interviews-these are some OF tn,
elements In tense and delicat,
situation which have made the pas
torate OF Brother Anderson in Elk
ton. one OF unusual strain and
anxiety.
Thank God. the Maryland Legis
lature has so revised the Marylan,
marriage laws that the scanda
caused through the past will be re
moved IN the present. It Is a mat
ter OF common knowledge that tn
writer, because he had to dlsciplln
Methodist minister who came 4
! our territory as a local elder from
Western Conference. has had his ful
} share OF abuse. But let that pass
Thank God no man anywhere cal
: point the finger OF scorn at IN
Methodist Church as in any way re
i lated to the reprehensible practice
+ referred TO. And let me say righ
here and say Il with emphasis. tn
one case Of discipline mentioned wa
the first actionable complaint eve
, brought to my attention, and wha
was done Is history. In one OF IN
, county papers a letter bearing m
! signature appeared in which a
2 open challenge was made, accom-
. ! panied by a statement OF fact, tina
4 had at all times stood ready I
. proceed according 20 the law OF on
h church, II grounds for action wer
( laid. But to even intimate that sue
y course should be followed on-nor
% suspicion is unthinkable.
a 1T should be said also that tn
a pastorate OF Dr. Anderson has bee
e a real blessing 10 Elkton Method
/. ism and the community as we'll. Tn
y church was greatly quickened by
j. gracious revival and many we're cor
10 verted.
nj The Rev. George white Dawso
s is closing the ninth year OF his pa
torate at Asbury. when he assume
n charge az Ashury this down-tow
% church was threatened with the usui
10 fate Of churches similarly situate
n To avert the disgrace to Methods
I'd involved in a retreat and to NAL
& this old church the rallying point Z,