Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-04
THE WEST VIRGINIA NJ. Z. CON-
FERENCE.

things pertaining 70 the West Virginia
Conference of the NJ. E. Church, now
in session at that place, together with
short personal sketches OF the men com
posing that body.
Considerable interest is felt in the
city. as well as throughout the State, In
the proceedings of the Conference. 1t
is an occasion when Methodist cOngrega-
tons are in expectation OF either an I'M
perative or possible change in their re-
spective pulpits. Ii the pastor has
served his full term Of three years, he
must 90, nolsns rOlSns, but at any time
after the expiration OF year, he has no
positive assurance that he will be re-
turned to the same congregation. Every
session of Conference is, therefore, IKE
the drawing'in lottery, attended with
more or less excitement to the congre-
cations, and their experience is also
very similar in the matter OF "prizes
and BLANKS"
The probability is that there will be
but one or two changes made in the
pulpits of this city. The term OF Dr.
GEORGE, of the Fourth street Church.
has expired, and it is certain that "a sue
cessor will be appointed in his stead, al
though who, or from whence, is mat
Ter Of doubt. This congregation has
usually selected its minister from an
other conference, and will probably do
so this time, but they have not been
able to agree upon any available man as
vet. II President THOMPSON, OF the
University, were free to enter the active
work of the ministry at this time, he
would have many friends in this church
favorable to his appointment to this pas
torate. The Rev. MANCHESTER, of Par
kersburg, is also spoken Of Also a gem
tleman now in Philadelphia Conference
But outside of the three named there
has been no minister named likely to
receive the appointment, and 1t
is not improbable that the pulpit
will be left to be supplied until the con-
gregauon has had opportunity to agree
upon minister yet unnamed. 1t Is
anticipated that DR.. GEORGE will be sent
to Parkersburg. to the congregation OF
which Mr.. MANCHESTER has been pastor
during the last term. The other MethO-
dist ministers will probably not be
changed. unless il be in the case OF
Prof. WHITE, Of the Chapine Street
Church, who, we understand, cOntem-
plates removal.
Among the important matters before
the present session Of the Conference
the election Of Delegates To- the next
General Conference, which will assem-
Die in Cincinnati next year. This latter
is the legislative body OF the church,
and the coming session will be
one Of unusual interest and import
ance. inasmuch as there are ques-
tons oi church pOlity which
have been so long mooted and
discussed that they will be pressed to
a conclusion one way or the other at
this session, and may result in very
radical changes in the Constitution OF
the Church.
Among these important matters
are the abolition of the office
of Presiding Elder, and change
in the limitation OF the term OF
pastorates. Upon the former subject
there is a great diversity OF opinion, and
there are arguments pro and con which
make it very difficult Of determining.
Upon the question OF changing the
present rule in the appointment OF pas
tors. there is likewise very decided
views both in favor and in opposition
to a change, but those who
favor change seem to
have the best of the argument and
are likely to prevail. The rule, as it
now exists, limits the term to three
years. This is the maximum, but the
appointments are made at each annual
session of the conference for one year
only.
The proposition to change the rule so
that appointments may be made every
wear, but ,ritl,g,a limit, seems to have
many friends, and to be founded upon
good reasons. Three years is about
long enough for the average minister to
tell congregation all he knows. The
majority Of them can put it in much less
space. BY the end OF one year some OF
them begin to sound like a
bass drum. And it is
not altogether satisfactory to a congre-
cation when they find the ministerial
resources Of their pulpit exhausted, to
be- compelled, nevertheless, TO sit for an
indefinite time to come at spiritual
fountain" hopelessly dry. 1t must be
even more excruciating to the fountain
itself to be compelled TO pump dry and
Screeching stock that makes no other re-
spouse to his furnishing flock.
An annual change is a good thing 10y
which to avoid any extended experience
Of the nature referred to. And three
wears term is quite enough, as We have
said, for the majority OF pastors and
congregations. 1t has been alleged that
the average time OF ministers
i'm churches OF other denom-
nations, where the pastorates are with
out limitation, is not greater than in
the Methodist Church, where they are
appointed every year and limited to
three.
Nevertheless, there are exceptional
cases in cities, where the congregations
are large, the interests Of the church
more varied and complex than in the
country, and where, the membership is
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