National Republican., 1883-03-09
THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
Baltimore Conference Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Ninety-Ninth Session and Proceedings at
winchester, Wa.
Snecial Dispnch.

NlNthEbIbk, NlNI' c. llo DblbiUiuIb OOh-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church
met in its ninety-ninth session at the Market
Street Methodist Episcopal church in this
city yesterday, Bishop II. w. Warren, ID. D., in
the chair. After the devotional exercises the
Rev. W. +. Ward, the secretary of the last
conference, called the roll and 115 ministers
answered to their names. BY q vote of 81 to
AZ, the Rev. q. G.. Baker was elected secre-
tary. j. Il. Still was appointed assistant
secretary, and w. NJ. Ferguson statistical sec
retary. The rules of the last conference were
adopted for the government of this. A reso-
luton on the subject of transfer of ministers
was the cause of considerable debate, and a
substitute for the original was adopted, as
follows:
Whereas there are within the bounds Of this
conference churches which prefer rs pastors
ministers who nre not members of the conference;
Whcrens we have no desire TO Interfere with
these churches in securing the appointments they
Whereas the transfer of ministers to this con.
ference without corresponding transfer from 1t
is the cause OF much embarrassment in making
It's appointments aud increasing disoouragmoht
and hardship to its members therefore
RCsOhed, That we respectfully and earnestly re-
quest our bishops in making transfers TO accom-
modate these churches TO do SO with the under
standing only that n corresponding transfer be
made nc the same time from this conferences.
The bishop announced the transfer of the
Rev. III. W. Baker from the New York east
conference to this conference, aud that Of the
Rev. $. V. Leech from this conference to the
New York East. The twentieth question of
the general minutes, viz: WAS the character
of each preacher examined ?" was asked. The
Rev. job Price, of the Baltimore district, gave
an interesting account of the work accom-
plished under his supervision. The characters
of the ministers in his district were then
passed.
The East Baltimore district was repre-
sented by the Rev. R. w. Black, its presiding
elder, who in giving an account of his work
commented rather strongly upon what was
done by some of the elect ladies of Jackson
Square church, Baltimore, Md. So much so
that on motion that part of his address was
referred to the committee on the state of the
church. After the announcements of the
meeting of committees, the doxology was sung
aud the conference adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
Devotional exercises were conducted by L.
+. Wilderman at tho request of the bishop
continuing one half hour previous to the
regular business. Rev. Job Price desired the
name of d. +. Bennett substituted as confer
ence steward for b. +. Parlett. The ministers
Of the east Baltimore district had their char
acters examined and passed.
Rev. w. s. Edwards, presiding elder of the
west Baltimore district reported that his
work had prospered, but not as much as he
had hoped. The Rev. G. Duly Moore had
been completely prOstrated in health at the
beginning of the year; also, the Rev. DIR. A.
L. Gibson had suffered some time from an ac-
cident. The Sunday schools were in very
good state of prosperity. There had been
several churches built, and many others had
either been relieved of debt or so fixed as to
make them less burdensome. The characters
of the ministers of the west Baltimore dis
trict were examined and passed.
The Rev. j. Duey Moore asked and had
granted a supernumerary relation. g
Bishop Warren made short speech as to
the fact that there are more first and second
class ministers than there are first and second
class stations for them to fill. He thought
that the reason was in the failure to instruct
the children and circulate Methodist litera-
ture.
Rev. ]. S. Desle, of the Washington district,
represented the work in his district I'd in an
excellent state. During the year revi.rNs had
occurred at various points, in which Ryland,
Memorial, Baldwin, Montgomery circuit and
Memorial II street church shared. There
had been 800 conversions during the year.
Five new churches had been built, and Ry-
land, Wesley Chapel, and Dumbarton had been
greatly improved and enlarged The sudden
death of the Rev. L. s. Forte was alluded to
in very feeling manner, and it waslstated
left upon the heart of the church, and unless
some provision were made for them in few
days they would be left homeless and house
less. g.
After statement made by the Rev. A. NJ.
Courtenay in regard to the condition of Rev.
E. S. Forts family, committee, consisting OF
Revs A. NJ. Courtenay, j. b. Stitt, d. b. Win
stead, G. G.. Webster, and H. H. Smith was
appointed to open subscription for the same,
Rev. l.. NJ. Gardner said that he had been ap.
pointed by the preachers meeting, of Wash
ington, to solicit subscriptions to erect monu.
ment to Rev. L. l.. Forte A draft of $26l
was ordered on the Methodist Book Concern
for the benefit of the superannuated preachers
CENTENNIAL oBsERvANcEs.
Ten o'clock having been fixed as the time
for considering the centennial observance OF
the M. L. church in 1884, the committee tc
prearrange for it reported that there was nc
question about the propriety of commemo
rating the one hundredth anniversary of such
an institution as the NJ. L. church, in view OF
what had been accomplished. They recon
mended that the bishop appoint a minister
to preach a sermon at the next session o.
this conference, and that said session bt
held in the city Of Baltimore. That it may
not be a time of simple self glorifcation the,
thought it would be appropriate to take VI
subscriptions and collections for the endow
ment of Dickinson college and the Gentleman,
Biblical institute and the establishment of
Baltimore conference seminary ON perma
nent basis that a committee of five minister
and five laynen be appointed to prepare
programme OF celebration and report at tn
next session of the conference,
DISCUSSION oS,EDUcATIoN.
The Rev. c. W. Baldwin spoke ON the sub
iect of education, and showed how the grea
neglect of this conference to establish con
ference seminary had resulted in the aliena
ton of our children and families from the NJ
Il. church. After stating some facts that wer
calculated to astound the conference, he sal
we ought to hang our heads in very shame fo
the utter indifference of the ministers an
laymen to the subject of denominational edu
cation. The Revs, Mr.. Eldridge, DR.. Dashiel
Dr. Reilly, DR.. Lanahan, and G. v. Leec
further discussed the report, and 1t wa
adopted
On motion of Rev. ]. +. Goucher, in vie
of tho fact that the Rev. L. f. Morgan, d. d
will complete the semi-centennial year,of hi
ministry, that he be appointed by the bisho
to preach the centennial discourse at the mex
session of the Baltimore conference.
CHURCH RELIEF FUND. NJ
The Rev. d. H. Carroll made report of tl
church relief fund by districts, the object
which is to afford aid to weak circuits an
stations Each district is assessed certai
amount, and full amount not always co
lected.
collected. ........,... GSS
Deficit. cit.,..,.......,.......,.... Al
East Baltimore district, assessed; ......-. $3.50
} T" collected ........ 4S2
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