National Republican., 1876-01-11
The Preachers, Meeting, Il. z. Church.

The weekly meeting Of the pastors Of the
Methodist Episcopal churches Of this city was
held in the parlors OF the Foundry church yester-
day; Rev. Elisha ID. Owen, the president, In the
chair and Rev. q. W. Hobbs, OF Grace church,
secretary. The religious exercises were conducted
by Rev. Mr.. jackson, of the Washington confer
ence, NJ E. Church. Nearly all Of the pastors
were present, and several lay members Of the
Church.
After the usual call for reports from the differ
ent charges and the transaction Of routine busi-
ness the order Of the day came up for discussion,
viz: "ls II lawful and If lawful, is II expedient
that presiding elders should be elected by the
annual conferences, and have coordinate jurisdic-
tiOn with the bishops in fixing the appointments
Of the preachers"
Episcopal Church, to some extent throughout the
whole country, and will doubtless be brought up
which convenes in the Metropolitan NJ. E. church
-Of this city on the first Of March next; A great
variety Of opinion is entertained by the Methodist
ecclesiastica policy of the Church upon this sub
iect, and from this discussion which is very able
and runs through two or three hours at each
meeting, it is very evident that these preachers
are orthodox upon Methodist polity, and If the
custom of fairness can be secured, and the best
interests Of Methodism sustained without favor or
Partially upon the part Of the appointing power,
they will not favor any innovations upon original
Methodism, but will stand by her episcopacy
without any trammels. But there are doubts
upon the minds of some Of the ablest ministers Of
the Church whether the system Of fixing the ap-
pointments Of the preachers is now entirely clear
Of favoritism. Hence this discussion.
After the discussion, in which Rev. John II.
Deshiell. Rev. B. Peyton Brown, Rev. ]. r..
Wheeler. Rev. 7. w. Hedges and Rev. w. Ii.
Laney, Of the clergy, took part and Robert Rick
etts lay member OF Foundry church, made an
excellent speech in defense OF lay cooperation in
selecting the pastors OF churches, the question
was laid over until next Monday
Rev John II. DeshIell presented the following
paper in relation TO the death Of Rev. J. w.
Arnold, ore Of the preachers Of the Baltimore
conference The Preachers meeting of Wash
ington, ID. O., has heard with sorrow Of the death
Of Rev. J. W. Arnold. at Reisterstown, In Balti-
more county, Md, on the sd of December, 1879.
Brother Arnold had been an itenerant preacher
OF this conferance for twenty-three years. At the
last session Of the conference he was reported
disabled by disease. He died al his home in
ReisterstoHn, on the 23d Of December, 1875, in
great peace. This meeting commentaries his
faith in Jesus his blameless life and his careful
ministry. They will try to heed the admonition,
TO be also ready and extend to his honored fam
lily sincere sympathy, praying the Head Of the
Church to comfort them in their aftiiction."
Eulogies upon the memory Of DT. Arnold were
made by quite number Of the preachers. He
will be remembered by many Of the Methoaists
OF Washington as the preacher In charge Of the
camp ground at Jackson's woods, on the Potomac
railroad, several years ago, when the Washing
ton camp meeting was held there.