The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-25
The Presiding Elder Question

The Presiding Elder Question
From the Pittsburgh Christian AdvOcate.t
From the action OF the Annual Confer
ences, and the numerous communications
that have been published in our Methodist
journals, il seems quite evident that the
presiding elder agency as now worked, is
lar from giving satisfaction either TO the
membership or ministry Of the NJ. +.
Church. And the more it is discussed
the more extensively is the dissatisfaction
made manifest. Toblink this question,or
represent it us Of trifling Importance, is
far from wise. Some modification OF this
agency must be made.
The election Of presiding elders by the
Conferences, may for n brief period salts
fy some, though in the opinion OF the
writer, the advocates Of this measure will
be among the first to be dissatisfied with
il, because it will fail TO prove correc-
ton OF the principal defects in this
agency, sought to be obviated.
The writer assumes that US Methodists,
we cannot dispense with the Office ofpre.
siding elder, or its equivalent TO do SO
would break link in the chain ofsuper.
vfsory agencies that have wrought such
wonders in the history OF our church.
What then is TO be done? answer, tho
working of this agency is what is wanted,
and what alone will prove remedy.
Let the presiding elders in general be
stationed Just as other preachers are;
and let the districts be made small, so
that by ordinary Intercourse the presid-
ing elder can keep advised Of the state OF
each charge in his district, and be able
to make nm intelligent representation Of
the state Of the work within his field, the
same as now. He might ordinarily make
one visit on charge year, and attend
the Quarterly Conferences, and for spe-
cial reasons might visit some charges
oftener. But in all ordinary cases neither
the business to be done nor the admins.
tration Of the ordinances requires the
presence Of the presiding elder in the
older portions OF the Church. With n
district Of from six TO ten charges, visit
ing them on the week days for simply
business purposes us here indicated, the
presiding elder would be able TO make as
intelligent representation OF his district
rs one could make having from thirty to
forty charges, visiting them rs is now
done.
In favor Of this modification there is
this 10 be said:
l. A large amount Of expense would be
saved, source Of complaint by many at
the present time.
9. ltwould educate the common pas.
tors to higher degree oil business capa-
bility than they will be likely to attain
under the present state OF things. Re.
sponsibility is the greatest educator that
man ever had or will have.
8. Tie greater number Of pastors
would be at command to fill important
charges.
4. There would be more advisors with
the Bishop, in making out the appoint
ments, aGording guaranty Of the most
careful adjustment in the stationing OF
the preachers. These l regard as import.
ant points gained.
In cases where part OF u Conference
required the full service Of presiding
elder, let the appointment be made on the
HlVLlul uHu Recommendation VI lHC Suu-
ference. And such cases would occur 10
some extent in various sections Of the
ChuEch. Indeed, in new Cnfercnces, II
might be desirable that for the present,
the plan Of working this agency hereto.
fore pursued, should be maintained en-
tirely for the time being.
The arrangement here outlined could
be entered upon at once, without encoun.
tering any supposed or real constitutional
objections. And besides, it would render
the practical working OF the Church in
this respect so flexible as to adjust itself
to the wants and convenienccs Of all sec.
tions and circumstances, and II is hoped
satisfy all reasonable wishes.
l say nothing in relation to the appoint.
ment Of presiding elders, whether by the
Bishop or Conference, MS deem this OF
subordinate Importance, As the under.
signed views it, the appointment Of presi.
ding elder, as TO its mode, is the least i'm.
portent question involved in this discus.
sion. Adopt any mode Of appointment,
and leave the other points here untouch.
ed, and you can scarcely approach the
evil sought to be remedied.