The Klamath District Epworth League was first organized in the spring of 1909 and the first convention was held at Medford in May of that year. Previous to that time the greater part of the present Klamath District belonged to the Eugene District. The conventions were always held in the Willamette Valley, where the more populous centers were located, and only a very few delegates from Southern Oregon had the privilege of attending. The 1908 conference created the Klamath District and thus left the Epworth League in the middle of its year with no district organization. Miss Pauline Walton of Eugene, who at that time was teaching in the Medford High School, was named as the first president of the District Epworth League, and to her is largely due the credit of its organization and the success of the first convention. The number of delegates at this first convention was comparatively small and few of the outlying churches in the district were represented at all; it was not quite so easy in those days to run back and forth through the valley at all hours of the day, and the delegates who were there stayed on the job for the most part and saw it through. We got a start. At the close Ashland's invitation to entertain the next convention was accepted, Homer Billings of Ashland was elected president and Miss Wilna Gilkey of Grants Pass. secretary.
    Prof. Sweetser was one of the "stars" of the second convention. The program included an illustrated lecture by Prof. Sweetser, describing the work of Dr. Grenfel on the Labrador Coast, and also an out-of-doors address by him Sunday afternoon near the present camp ground in the city park. In addition to numerous discussions of the "lay members," talks by Dr. H. Leach, then pastor of the church at Medford, Supt. R. E. Dunlap, Rev. H. J Van Fossen and others, the social side of the convention was provided for in a very enjoyable banquet in the G.A.R. Hall Saturday evening.
    James Martin was elected president for the ensuing year and Grants Pass was chosen as the place for holding the next convention. Dr. Homan of Willamette University was the "star" of the third convention. It was a great convention; Martin was on the job every minute; the program was interesting and helpful, and the entertainment of the delegates by Grants Pass people was all that could be desired.
    The subsequent conventions have been held at Medford, president, Ben Sherman; Ashland, president, J. O. Rigg; Grants Pass, president, Ruth Young; Medford, president, Flora Schilling; and Roseburg, president, Mrs. Miller.

    Beginning with Anniversary Day, 1917, and closing with Anniversary Day, 1919, the Epworth League will conduct a "Big Drive."
    On May 15, 1919 the League will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. Do not be surprised, therefore, if the number 30 occurs often in the Big Drive's objective.
    We are fixing as our goal for Anniversary Day, 1919--
Total chapters of the league, including Juniors . . . 30,000
New members, Senior and Junior . . . 300,000
Morning Watch enrollment . . . 30,000
Attendants at Institutes . . . 30,000
Enrolled in Mission and other League Study classes . . . 60,000
Twenty-four-hour-day Leagues . . . 3,000
New subscribers to Epworth Herald . . . 30,000
New subscribers to Devotional Topic Notes . . . 30,000
Enrolled as Christian Stewards or tithers . . . 60,000
Twenty-four-hour-day Junior Leagues . . . 1,500
New subscribers to Junior Quarterly . . . 3,000
Life Work Pledges for Ministry or Mission Field . . . 3,000

    In order that Klamath District will do her part in accomplishing the Big Drive in the Epworth League, by the time the convention meets in 1919 we should have 21 chapters, with a total of 900 members. We should have 240 Christian Stewards, and the same number enrolled in study classes. We should have 120 Morning Watch Keepers, and 120 new subscribers to the Epworth Herald. There must be twenty members of the district in attendance at the League Institute next year. We will have at least three chapters registered as Twenty-four-hour-day Leagues, and we will have three members of the district for missionary or mission fields.
    As a district we have a big task before us for the next two years--a definite goal to attain. It means that every chapter in the district will have to report about forty percent more members than they did this year. It means that every one of the 600 members will have to do his or her full share, or Klamath District will fall short of what the Central Office expects of her.
    This Big Drive is the greatest forward movement that the Epworth League has ever undertaken in the twenty-eight years of its existence, and it cannot be accomplished unless every one of the 400 districts, of the 20,000 chapters, and of the 800,000 members feels the responsibility of the task, and helps to work out such a magnificent program of activity.

My Dear President:
    I appreciate more than words can tell you, your district's hearty response to our twenty-four-hour-day proposition. It is the many responses such as yours that are coming in that hearten me for my big task. Please tell your chapters how much I appreciate it.
    Briefly, the plan is this: We ought to have in the field at least two trained, skilled workers to present several recent developments of League work. The Win-my-chum campaign can be made the biggest thing in evangelistic lines in the entire Methodist Church with a worker in the field to devote his time to it. For instance, one young man took the field in the Holston Conference last year and organized Epworth Leagues in country communities for the Win-my-chum campaign and saw 667 conversions as a result. With a thousand other duties on my hands. it is impossible for me to go into the field to promote this campaign.
    The study classes are succeeding finely, yet they have to be promoted at long range from headquarters by letter. With a worker in the field to promote their organization, we could have 12,000 study classes, where we now have 3,000.
    The Institutes, too, are growing in number and attendance. With a worker in the field to promote them, their number could be doubled within two years.
    Then there are still 10,000 Methodist churches in America that have no Epworth League. Most of them are small churches, many of them in the country, but with a worker in the field we could establish chapters in most of these churches.
    The program of the Big Drive has the hearty support of Dr. Brummitt, the editor of the Epworth Herald and of the executive committee of the Board of Control. We expect it to be the biggest thing in recent years in the League, but to do it will require money. Many of the regions that are now without the Epworth League are Home Mission territory, and the traveling expenses of whoever goes will have to be taken care of from our headquarters, of course. We owe it to these poorer, neglected regions to help them with our splendid Young People's organization. We that are strong must bear the burden of them that are weak.
    All this is included in the League extension work which the new financial plan aims to accomplish. It is the work for our own America. Then in addition to it, we must put our League work in India on a permanent basis. The three years' subscriptions made at the International Convention in 1914 for the support of our work in India have come to a close. We have to provide money for keeping up that splendid ministry to the 50,000 Methodist young people in far-away India. Other thousands are pressing in and need the training which we can give them. That work alone costs us $3,000 a year. Bishop Bashford is asking for similar work in China. The Philippines are also asking for a like campaign. South America needs our League organization and Mexico also. At the close of the war we shall have to reorganize our League work in Europe. It will need our utmost resources to meet the crying need of that sorely smitten continent.
    Now if 3,000 chapters will put themselves on this Twenty-four-hour-day League basis for the worldwide work of the League, including the extension work in our own land, we can make the Epworth League a world power. Never did we have such an opportunity as now.
    Leagues as follows will go on the honor roll, to be published in the Epworth Herald, as Twenty-four-hour-day Leagues:
    Any League of less than 50 members with 10 or more members giving two cents or more each week to the worldwide work of the League.
    Any Chapter of 50 to 99 members with 20 or more members giving two cents or more each week to the worldwide work of the League.
    Any Chapter of 100 to 149 members with 30 or more members giving two cents or more each week to the worldwide work of the League.
    Leagues of 150 or more members that give in the same ratio.
    The duplex envelopes used will be printed on one side "For the Home League," and on the other side, "For the worldwide work of the League." Each Sunday evening at the close of the service these envelopes will be collected. Your Treasurer would tear it in two, putting the side marked for home chapter in your treasury, and putting the other side into a separate package to be sent to us at the Central Office at the close of each quarter.
    We shall be glad to send to the chapter presidents 52 envelopes, one for each Sunday of the year, to be given to each person subscribing the two cents or more per week. If those taking envelopes are willing to do so, we, should like them to do as is done in the case of church envelopes; namely, send us ten cents for the set as the initial cost of the envelopes. We do not insist on this, but if they will do so, the entire amount given during the year through these envelopes can go directly to the worldwide work of the League.
    Praying that God's blessing be upon you in your decision, and assuring you of the joy it will give us if a number of the chapters in your district put themselves on the Honor Roll of Twenty-four-hour-day Leagues, I am,

    The majority of the chapters of Klamath District are in excellent working condition. With but few exceptions, the vice-presidents are doing effective work in their respective departments.
    During the year the district cabinet has met six times in executive session. The special work of these meetings has been the making of plans for special work during the year, working out the schedule for Mr. Brummitt through the Northwest, and making out the program for the ninth annual convention of the district. The first cabinet meeting was held last July and the work on the program was begun two months later.
    In a district the size of Klamath District, the field work of the cabinet is somewhat limited. We have held workers' conferences with but four chapter cabinets. These conferences were well attended, and were very helpful meetings for all concerned. We have led eleven devotional meetings and convention rallies at the following chapters: Wilbur, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Gold Hill, Central Point, Medford, Talent and Ashland. The total attendance at these meetings was six hundred and eighty-five. Special music was provided by the cabinet at practically all these district gatherings.
    The work of organizing new chapters has not been attempted this year, not because there was no opportunity for this line of work, but because of the time and money necessary to reach the localities where such work is needed. My first recommendation grows out of this condition. A great many of the stronger chapters have gospel teams, and every league in the district can and should have such a band of workers. Now if the leader of this gospel team discovers a bunch of young people in the vicinity that are not organized for Christian work, go among them, hold meetings, and if possible effect a league organization. When this is done, report to the district president, who will see that a charter is secured and proper recognition given the new chapter.
    Over a half hundred letters have been written and received during the past eight months in the interest of the Brummitt itinerary. As a result of this, we have eleven districts of the Northwest cooperating in the scheme, and we have "Our Great Epworthian" on our program. Since, with Mr. Brummitt's help, we have a program that hits you in every phase of your activity in the organized Epworth League, I would strongly recommend that you make good use of the blank pages in this annual, and carry back to your chapter a complete working program of activity for the coming year. Do not depend upon your president and other officers to do this. but let every delegate get all there is to get out of this "Institute Convention," and get it down where you can refer to it when you get home.
    To the chapter presidents let me say, get ahead of the game in your chapter and stay ahead. It takes thought, originality, work and prayer to direct the work of a chapter, and it is worth your very best efforts. You cannot feel too keenly the responsibility which is yours as the leader in the Christian work of a group of young people. I believe that it is a call from GOD, and it is our duty to respond with our very best. Do not be satisfied with the standard of your predecessor--forge ahead. There are fields of activity in your chapter which have never been explored. Become enthusiastic over your job, learn how, and then GO AHEAD.
    Before bringing this report to a close, I want to thank the other members of the district cabinet, the chapter presidents, and all the good workers of the district, for the very loyal cooperation which we have enjoyed during the past year. I have appreciated this more than words can tell, and I cherish for my successor the same loyalty and unstilted endeavor in making the district work a success for the coming year.

    There have been 534 devotional meetings held in Klamath District this year, with a total attendance of 21,360. What great results have and could be accomplished in just these devotional meetings! In order of attendance Ashland comes first with 76; Medford, 75; Grants Pass, 52; Roseburg, 35; and Wilbur, 25. This is the general average as reported by the First Vice-Presidents.
    Number of fellow workers amounts to 20 in the whole district. Are there not more in the Leagues that realize the importance of winning at least five for Christ during the year? There were 130 members of the Morning Watch reported, Ashland coming first with 64. The Gospel Teams of the district, although not very old, are doing fine work. The Ashland team has held 14 outside meetings and organized a Sunday school. Medford has a very good team and is doing fine work in helping the smaller churches around them; they have held six services. Grants Pass had one during the summer, holding four services, and they are planning to start again. They also organized one Sunday school. Roseburg is doing much along this line in connection with the city union, and Wilbur has a gospel team doing active service. There are three chapters carrying on Bible study, Wilbur, Talent, and Roseburg. Medford had an evangelism class the first part of the year.
    Most of the chapters report a Win-my-chum week. Medford reports two conversions. The Grants Pass League worked in connection with the union revival meetings, and 11 young people, who are new Leaguers, made a start. A recent contest resulted in 48 new members being taken into the League. This includes those who had come before but were not members. Roseburg reports two conversions during Win-my-chum week.

    We regret very much that no report of the Second Department work had peen received by Tuesday noon, the time when all the copy had to be in.

    This report includes only Roseburg, Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland and Central Point. The other chapters are either not organized for social service or neglected to report the work done.
    In these five chapters there have been fourteen committee meetings held. During the year there were a total of 622 calls made on the sick, and 184 calls on strangers. There have been 194 bouquets given to the sick. One chapter reported furnishing flowers for the church every Sunday during the year. There have been 15 strangers assisted to homes and employment by two chapters reporting. There has been $69.72 expended by this department. Two hundred and forty-three garments, besides numerous other clothing, have been given to those in need. One chapter reported that 30 families were remembered at Christmas time with delicacies and toys. Sixteen meetings held for county homes and shut-ins are reported. Thirty-six papers or books provided for sick-rooms, stations and county homes. One chapter takes a victrola and gives concerts for the sick and shut-ins.
    I regret very much that the other chapters in the district did not send in reports.

    During the year eighteen letters were written and eleven calls made on the various fourth vice-presidents of the district.
    Eight reports were received from the eleven chapters in the district. During the year 55 committee meetings were held by these departments. About 64 socials were reported. Most of the chapters have monthly socials, usually in connection with the regular business meeting. In some cases the League has been entertained by an individual.
    Special features in entertainments have been had in the way of fancy costume parties, a trip around the world, Hallowe'en and St. Patrick socials. One chapter gave a Washington Banquet which they make an annual affair.
    Most all chapters have followed some sort of outdoor plans in accordance with the weather and local conditions. Egg frys, hiking parties, wienie roasts, and coasting parties have been given. One chapter gave a hike to Mt. Wagner, and others held lawn ice cream socials.
    Two chapters have cooperated with young people's unions for socials, and all make it a point to invite outsiders to their gatherings. Five interdenominational socials have been reported held.
    Not many of the chapters reported having taken up any special literary work. One, however, reported having given an illustrated lecture.
    There are 89 subscribers to the Epworth Herald in the district, and eight new subscriptions were reported for the year.
    Forty-three new members were reported secured by this office and 50 calls made on strangers.

    In a letter from the District President early in the year, I found this statement: "It looks like a good field for work." I thought: "Yes, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few." I would say, however, that which we lack in quantity we make up in quality.
    In Roseburg the Junior League is flourishing. The meetings are well attended, and these younger young folks are soon going to step in to take the places awaiting them in the ranks ahead.
    In Medford the Intermediate League, under the direction of Mrs. Canady, is doing splendid work. The attendance and the enthusiasm in the meetings speak well for their leader.
    In Grants Pass, during the summer and fall, a Junior League was successfully conducted by Miss Vivian Isham and her assistants.
    The Intermediate League in Grants Pass, which was organized in 1915, is just completing the second year's work as outlined in the course prescribed by the Central Office. They have a membership of 30, with an average attendance of 25. The young folks in this department have been faithful, and we trust will make efficient workers in the Epworth League.
    May this meager report so touch the heart of some Klamath District Epworthians that upon their return a Junior or Intermediate League may be organized in their home church through their influence.

    Total number of membership of district one year ago, 527. Present number of membership, 615. Increase, 88. Removed by letter, 10. Dropped from the roll, 46. Received by letter, 2. Elected to membership, 86. Average condition of chapter records has been good, but the monthly reports of the secretaries have not been complete, thus making it difficult for the chapter secretary to summarize the year's work. A good file would enable the secretary to keep all the reports so they can be used for reference.
    Several membership contests have been held in the chapters with very good results, and every League in the district is increasing in number and interest.
    I have communicated with the following chapters which make up the above report: Klamath Falls, Talent, Medford, Central Point, Gold Hill, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Wilbur, Ten Mile, Edenbower, Dillard, Brockway and Ashland.
    I wish to thank all the officers who have so faithfully responded with their reports.
Program, Ninth Annual Convention May 18-20, 1917. Scans retained.


Last revised March 21, 2026