The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-09
The PresIdlnE Eldership question.

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In q former article on this subject, q
haSty showing was made, but not specific
enought to present the matter as fully as
church societies realize its workings to be.
Each society, or circuit, Is entitled to be
represented every year B., a District
Steward, whose duty it is to attend the
District Conference and labor for the in
terest Of the whole district, but specially
for that of the society he represents, SO
that II there are grievances which should
be redressed, such as financial overtaxa.
alton, &C., he may present the matter and
seek remedy therefor. AS these stewards
gather together from cities, towns and
rural societies, whosemanners, habits and
associations differ widely, 1t cannot be ex.
pected that all will see alike. The stew
ards from circuits may think that because
stations generally pay pastors larger
salaries than circuits do, they should also
pay more in proportion for the elder, for
"superannuates," and for all the "confer.
ence collections" while stewards from
stations think that, because circuits gen.
orally pay preachers lees, and their
membership is made up more Of agricul.
turtsts, and class Of people better able TO
pay than members at stations, thew should
pay more than stations for the elder. &c.
No one knows this state Of things better
than the elder, and as for,releasIng any Soc
iety from this their almost stereoty ned an.
portionment is likely to affect his salary
the worse for him, he is glad 10 have such
stewards elected as will give as little troub.
le as possible on this score. He NAV fnd
II necessary to call 10 his aid, In obtaining
such stewards, some preachers in his dis.
trict who will help him in this matter. 40
that they too may not suffer financially by
contributing to the claim OF he elder Il
deficient. The elder, by visiting the yari.
Gus societies quarterly and for success
ION OF years, can so influence them that il
has been difficult to obtain relief, howey.
or much some societies may have been
Again, this system OF quarterly vista.
ton is prolific Of favoriteism on the part
Of the elder toward some preachers, hence
the latter are always ready defenders OF
the former. as well as Of the system that
engenders this state OF things. Nor does
the elders influence cease here, but quad. |
rennially, when General Conference dele.
egates, both clerical and lay, are to be
chosen, he has a splendid Opportunity OF |
developing his sagacity, ensuing the |
election Of III not himself as one) those
who will favor continuing the pres.
ent system.
Being q member OF the Bishops Cabi. |
net, the elder yields an influence, either
lavorably or unfayorably, as his likes or
dislikes press upon him in regard to
preachers and people.
In the later years, the preaching abili.
ties OF the elder are weighed more care.
fully than formerly, and comparisons are
made in many cases between his and thel
stated preachers sermons latter gen.
orally taking the palm, while the elders
is not considered fair article for the
financial outlay. Therefore but little in
terest in quarterly meeting is now mani.
tested as compared with former wears,
and many members entertain the opinion
that the system should be dispensed with
or greatly modified.
Some OF the changes suggested, and
their Importance, must be left for future
article, -.r. Law