Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-26
GEORGETOWN.


nlG0t In the fectufe room OF 1ne1r house OF WOy-
ship, on Congress street. Notwithstanding the
extreme tnclemency Of the weather, the hall
was thoroughly packed, the ladies being pres
ent in numbers almost equal to the gentlemen
At Q O'Clock Rev. p. II. Sweet took the chair
and commenced proceedings by singing hymn
No. 122, which was followed BY prayer by
Rev. DR.. J. J. Murray.
The Chair then suggested the propr,etv Of
maker was elected to iii that position.
The object Of the meeting was stated by Mr.
Sweet to be to confer with regard 70 q slight
difference or misunderstanding which had
arisen among the members of the Church, in
consequence OF the transfer of their pastor,
Rev David A. Shermef, 70 another station and,
with the view Of . full understanding Of the
case, the President of the Annual Con-
ference, recently convened at Baltimore,
Maryland, by whom the change had been
made, had been invited to be present. That
hoped would favor the meeting with an expla-
nation OF the matter which had produced such
an unpleasant feeling.
President Sutherland then arose, and after
stating that he had visited GEORGETOWN in obe-
dienee to request TO do so, both by letter and
telegram, desired to know the purpose for
which he had been summoned. He had attended
At some Inconvenience to himself, and the first
intimation he had received of the subject under
consideration was few words, which had been
made since his arrival. He hoped some line of
proceeding would be indicated, and called upon
the meeting to let HIM know what was expected
of him.
Rev. Mr.. Sweet thought that it was desirable
that he should make an explanation with ref
in the removal of Rev Mr.. Shermer.
( Rev. DIR. Sutherland then addressed the
meeting, and proceeded to explain the doctrines
OF the Methodist Protestant church, which was
founded upon as system of itinerary and of mu-
tual sacrifices, where the right Of choice as to
what church you should preside over was laid
aside' At the last meeting Of the Conference it
had pleased them to call upon him as their
President, and in the discharge of his du ties he
had been governed by what he conceived to be
the good Of the whole church. In making his
the station at Georgetown was not the only one
he had to look after. There were from my to
sixty other churches to be provided fer at the
meeting OF every Conference and as many
delegates whose statements the head of the Con-
ference was required to listen to. Those not In
the ministry could not appreciate the difficulties
encountered in disposing of ministers. One
appointment could not be made irrespective of
other charges, but the whole had to be made
with reference to the rights of all combined.
So far as the case Of the Rev, Mr.. Sher-
m n , was concerned, he said that no
that gentleman. No one had maligned him,
and he was free to say that, after all that had
been said with reference to his removal, he
had always been. In making the change. be
had not been Influenced by any unofficiai con.
sideratons; but had been governed wholly by
ms omcial duty. When approached, as he had
been, by an unauthorized party with reference
to the appointment OF Mr.. Shermer for the en-.
suing year, he promptly replied that the bust
ness of the church Of Georgetown must be
transacted through Its official agent, and he
could therefore give no heed to private prefer
ences or prejudices in making up the appoint.
ments. The same thing had occurred with
reference to other churches In every such in
stance he endeavored to give the parties a re-
spectfut hearing, but nothing more. He was
controlled in his action by the wants of the en-.
tire District, and did what his Judgment die
r~ht M 1Iay,
ments had been made with reference to the
wants and necessities of the combined
districts, and in the execution of this plan
had been embraced the removal of Rev
Mr.. Shermer. The regulations of the church
require that all appointments should be made
annually, from the President down, and no ap-
polntment could be made for more than one
year at time. Under the old rule minister
might remain at one station from two to three
years; now he might remain for four wears
whether on circuit or station, as in the iudg-
ment OF the Executive might be deemed expe-
dent. The present removal was not an isolated
case; he could instance a number of other cases
where the ministers had been changed, who
were anxious to 60 back, and the congregation
mad peutloned for their return. Again, he
would state that nothing derogatory to the
character of Mr. Shermer had come TO his ears
nor mad any one attempted to jure him. In
his removal he had acted as he had In other
cases; 1t had been done TO make the plan of an.
polntments as perfect and satisfactory to All
the stations as possible.
been held were not from any desire TO have Mr.
Shermer sent back, but to set him right before
me church and the Conference. The delegate
OF the Georgetown Church, when he Went to
the Conference, said that he should bring the
old pastor back, and the failure to do SO was
the cause OF the feeling which had been mani
iesteo. lie then explained the action of the
Church meetings preliminary to the appoint
ment OF delegate u the Conference, the ey-
preston OF opinion in favor of his return, &c.
ana SAID that after what had occurred he was
Shnrv,a \
and when the new minister Rev. I T.. Rates
dialreception.
In reply to a rumor which had been circu-
lated, that Rev. Dr. Sutherland had pushed Mr.
Cain ei.away when that gentleman had ap-
proacned him In Conference meeting about the
appointment for Georgetown, the reverend
gentleman denied having done SO; as also the
statement that he had replied when spoken TO
about the reappOntment, that he could not
SEND Mr.. Shermer back; for if he did the
to keep him for four years.
Mr.. Cathel sustained the denial of President
sutherland, and recapitulated the whole pro-
ceedngs which had taken place at CONFERENCE
with reference to the appointment for the
Georgetown church. The treatment be had
received at the hands Of Mr.. Sutherland was of
the most courteous and kind character.
Rev. Mr.. Shermer inc uired of Mr. Cathel If
the President Of the Conference did not shake
his head and motion impatiently with his hand
when be lMr: CatheD went to him and asked if
Sou'u toii him WuO WOulQ De the minister at
Georgetownl
Mr.. Cathel had no such recollection: saw no
shake of the head or wave of the
hand on the part of the President of the Con-
ference.
Mr.. Newman offered series of resolutions
WIN reference TO the matter, which, after dis
custom and amendment, was withdrawn and
the following substituted in their stead:
whereas, the removal of Rev David
Shermer has been the occasion of much dive
sity OF opinion, and the feelings of MANY have
Deen wounded in consequence thereof. and
whereas 1t is supposed by some that said re-
moral may be regarded as derogatory 10 the
standing Of our late beloved pastor.
Therefore,
BE II re solved by the members Of tie Georoeto,p
Nation, in general meeting assembled That we
entertain high respect for the Christian char
acter, fidelity, and pastoral efficiency of our
late superintendent, Rev. David A. Shermer.
and that In submitting to the action of the An.
nual Conference, we at the same time desire 10
express, In the most unequivocal manner. our
nigh appreciation Of the untiring zeal with
which he has labored TO promote the prosperity
OF this church, and our prayers for his personal
happiness and the success of his ministry
wherever he may go.
Rev. Mr.. Stsrmer desired, before the reso-
lutlons were put to vote, 10 express his gratifi-
cation at the feeling of general satisfaction
which seemed to prev all At the meeting then in
had so agreeably ito himselO presided for the
past two yeas, was the permanent design OF
his heart, in conflict with which all personal
feelings sank into insIgnificance.. In reply 10
some statements which had been made with
reference to Remarks he had m aSo 70 ,ha c.