The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-06-16
DIST. MEETING
At OCEANv|LLE
twenty-five South Jersey Metho-
dist Protestant Churches Rep
resented on Thursday.
MEMBERSHIP is INCREASED

The District Meeting of the South
Jersey District, of the Eastern Con-
ference of the Methodist Protestant
Church was held on Thursday at the
Oceanville NJ. P. Church, Rev. E. V.
r. Hughes, Pastor.
Rev. George D. Jones, District Chair
man, presided. Rev. George w. Toms,
Jr., is the Secretary-Treasurer Rev.
Ellery Coons led the devotional ser
vice. at the morning session. This
was followed by a short testimony
meeting, led by Chairman Jones.
Rev. E. V. r. Hughes, pastor of the
entertaining Church, cordially welcom-
ed all. His words of welcome were
responded to by Rev. J. w. MINER.
The Church was beautifully decorat-
ed for the occasion, with an arch of
flowers, and fine potted plants and
bouquets.
The reports from the 25 churches,
comprising the District, were very
gratifying. Many conversions and ac-
cessions to membership were report
ed, as well as good increases in at
tendance, and fine financial reports.
Nearly all churches reported material
Improvements in Church property, or
of notes or mortgages reduced or paid
off. The treasurer rendered his report
and all bills were ordered paid.
Rev. c. 81 Kidd, president of the
Eastern Conference, was present, and
brought a few things TO the attention
of the delegates present. He urged
each Church to raise funds necessary
to send each Pastor and wife to the
Montrose Ministerial Institute in July.
He urged also, the necessity of hold
ing the annual church meetings as
early as possible. Also, the necessity
of pastors and delegates being at the
Annual Conference on time, and to
stay through. He urged the necessity
of getting the Conference assessments
in full, that the needs of the General
Church could be met.
Adjournment was made about l p.
m. for dinner, and a very bounteous
roast beef dinner vas served by the
ladies of the Oceanville Church.
The afternoon session began with a
praise service led by Rev. w. D.
Stultz, and prayer by Rev. Parry Mil
Ter. The first address was on 1.-The
Home-Its Responsibility and Privil-
eye in Christian Training, by Rev.
w. d. Stultz. This, a very enlighten-
ing and helpful address, compared
conditions of earlier years with now,
bringing the thought that conditions
of today, were primarily up to the
parents themselves. The breaking
down of the family altar, and the Civ
ing up of the Christian training in
the home, is greatly responsible for
conditions that exist. 1t is doubtful if
conditions will ever be as they were,
but we can all do our part, in taking
the responsibility of home training on
our shoulders as parents, and not dele
gate it to someone else. The com
mercializing of Sunday,with the sports
and shows wide open, all are conduc-
i've to the tendency of the times.
Rev. C. S. Kidd was introduced as
the next speaker. He changed the
subject he was to speak on, as an
nounced, and instead delivered a stir
ring address on 1.-THE Conflict Of the
Ages" He took as the basis of his
thoughts, Gen. 3:15, where God said
that Satan should bruise the heel of
the seed of the woman, and that He
should bruise Satan's head. He
brought out the thought, that the
bruising of the heel was a minor trou-
BILE, and easily healed, but the bruising
of the head was one that could not
be healed. This is to be accomplished
by Christ in the end.
The evening session began with a
very fine praise service led by Pastor
Hughes and his choir.
Then followed a platform service of
six ten-minute addresses, all were
right to the point and excellent. First,
Rev. George d. Jones spoke on "The
Meaning of Church Membership" He
outlined the growth of the Church as
a Divine institution, and very clearly
outlined the duties of its members.
The second address was by Rev.
Horace S. Miller, on THE Influence
of the Church On Modern Problems"
The one great problem of all, is the
Indifference in pew and sometimes in
pulpit. To assist in solving the prob
lens, give the Church the first place,
in everything.
The third address was by Rev. Geo.
w. Toms, Jr., on why Attend the
Prayer Meeting?" He spoke of the
VOWS of church membership, to at
tend spiritual services of the Church.
On the average, the prayer meeting
is not very well attended, and the
Church and people lose out. Why at
tend the prayer meeting? For Com
munion, fellowship. prayer, power.
THE Church and the Social Life.'
Rev. George H. Jackson, showed the
need of the social element of Church
life, under good auspices.
Fifth, The Church and Her Young
People," Rev. w. E. Pettet. He first
brought in the thought that the lack
of interest or the part of young peo-
pie was a problem. by citing certain
tendencies in u Church life. Then.
he showed that he really believed that
it was a passing incident, as we would
stop and look back on our lives, and
see how we were when young.
The last address was by Rev. c. S.
Kidd, on Jesus, the Light of the
World" This was a fitting close to a
wonderful day. He told of a world in
darkness and of Jesus coming TO be
the Light of the world.
A vote of thanks was given to Rev.
and Mrs. Hughes, and the good people
of Oceanville Church, for their gener-
GUS hospitality. 1t was a day of rich
enjoyment and fellowship. The next
meeting will be held at Penns Grove,
New Jersey.