Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-11
Baltimore Conference, NJ. E. Church

CONTINUATION OF THE REPORT
BALTIMORE; March 11.-There was much discus
sion OF the paper in reference to presiding elders
this morning.
1t is as Follows: sswhereas, in the Bishops adj
dress to the last general conference the following
sentiment was expressed: " 1t has been our judg-
ment in general that it is not wise to change an
elder from one district to another during the four
years term;' and, whereas the general conference
took, upon that portion of the address, the follow
Ing actlOn: THAT the committee on EpiScopacy
having had under consideration that portion O. the
bishops address relating to the admniStra-
nSn IN regard d. to appointing presiding elders
tlon: ReSOlred, That we approve the suggestions
of the bishops address, that the same men shall
not be kept in the office of presiding elder for
than four years cOnsecutively but we do not think
1t should be recognized rule In regard to which
there shall not be exceptions" THEREFORE Resolred,
While we recognize it as principle OF our church
economy that the presiding elders are to be APP
pointed by the bishops in the exercise OF their
cept obedlently and trustfully the decision OF the
bishop now presiding over this session OF the Bal
timore conference, we do most respectfully but
urgently request him to respect in making up these
appointments the above sentiment OF the church,
expressed through the highest authority.
Rev. w. S. Edwards, presiding elder OF the Balti-
more district, moved the adoption of the paper
Rev job A. Price, presiding elder OF the West
Baltimore district, who was member of the Gen.
eral Conference, and member OF the committee
who reported the resolution in question, also
favored the paper.
Rev. j. B. Van Meter asserted that 1t was the
almost universal sentiment of the members OF this
conference that presiding elders should not be re-
appointed until after an interval OF four years,
and it was the sentiment OF the church as ex-
pressed in the action OF the general conference. A
similar paper has been adopted by the PennSylva-
MIA central conference.
Rev. James NJ. Brown said he could not see, be-
fore God why any OF the present presiding elders
should be continued in office. Rev. A. NJ. Courte-
nay thought 1t would be impolitc to reappont the
presiding elders. He thought the logical result OF
special fitness was a life tenure. Rev. j. Mex
Kelley thought rotation in office did not produce
statesmen, and he opposed the action OF the paper.
The bishop wanted the conference to clearly eX-
press what they wanted in the matter. Rev. d.
N. Carroll favored letting the bishop know the
were made by Rev. w. S. Edwards, John Lanahan
and others. Mr. Lanahan said that the conference
would put its foot upon stabbing, man in the
dark, when they understood it. A few brethren
had gotten together and went around og-rolling.
This language was objected to, and DR.. Lanahan
was called to order by several members OF the
conference.
Mr.. Lanahan said that when he stood upon clear
grounds ne was not afraid to stand alone.
Mr.. Carroll charged that the words used by DR..
Lanahan OF ''stabbfng man In the dark" and
"lOg rolling" were indecorous.
The Bishop ruled that Dr. Lanahan had not men,
toned the name OF any minister of the conference,
and no one had right to appropriate what was
said to himself
Rev. A. H. Ames argued that when man had
filled the responsible office four years it was best
for him and best for the church that he should re-
vert TO inc pastoral Office Mr. Ames offered as
substitute for the latter part of the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Van Meter and others, request
Ing the bishop ''not to reappOint any man to the
eldership who has been In the Office four consecu-
tive years past" The substitute was Incorporated
and the paper adopted.
Rev. I. A. Wilson and Rev. Charles A. Reid were
placed on the committee upon Mormon pOlygamy
IN the place OF Rev. Mr.. LipScomb and Rev. Dr.
Hartman. Rev. DIR. Mills appeared as a fraternal
deleg ate from the Maryland Annual Conference OF
the Methodist Protestant Church, and made an
Rev. MI. Van Meter gave notice that hewould
claim the opportunity on Monday to reply to the
personal attack made by DIR. Lanahan.
Adjourned until Monday. am