The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-05-12
Sket III of Rev, John France.

The following sketch of Rev. John
district of the Wilmington Conference,
from the Peninsula Methodist of last
week, will doubtless prove of interest to
the many friends of that clergyman in
this county:
Rev. John France, our second reserve
delegate, received the exceptional compi-
.ment of a unanimous vote, the secretary of
the Conference being directed to cast the
! ballot of the body to that effect.
Brother France was born in Chester
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1885
His maternal ancestors were members of
the society of Friends, and his fathers an
cesury were attached to the church of Eng
land. While John was yet a child, his
mother united with the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, showing herself there after a
consistent member of the same, until trans
ferred to the church triumphant III the 18th
year of her aga.
During his youth, brother Frances
parents removed to the vicinity of Will
mington, Del, and here he received his
educational training. He was converted
when about sixteen years old, under the
ministry of Rev. Newton Heston, who was
pastor of Mt. Salem NJ. Z. Church, 1872,
and at once Joined the church, as proba-
toner. In his nineteenth year he was Ii
censed to preach, and soon after sent out by
the presiding elder of the Wilmington dis
trict, Rev. 7. j. Thompson, to supply va
cancy on Strasburg, Pa, circuit.
At the session of the Philadelphia Con-
ference in Philadelphia, March, 1856,
Bishop Levi Scott presiding, assisted by the
venerable Bishop Beverly Waugh, John
France was admitted on trial, in a class of
nineteen, and appointed to st. Georges,
Del, as Junior preacher with Rev. Samuel
Pancoast.
His subsequent appointments were as fol-
lows: 1888, Brandywine circuit with John
Cummins; 1859, Oxford with j. b. Denni-
son 1859 60, Brandywine, Wilmington;
1902, New London and Elk Ridge; 1924,
Crozerville; 1864 5, Mt. Lebanon; 1868,
second term at Brandywine, Wilmington;
1851, Newark, Del; 1871 s. Millington,
Nd; 1875, Mt. Salem, Wilmington; 1903,
Cherry Hill, Md; 1873 9, st. Georges, sec
ond term; 1892, Newark, Del, second
term of three wears: 1925, Zion, Md.
At the Conference of 1885, he was ap-
pointed to Smyrna circuit, but in August
of that year, Rev. d.. j. II. Caldwell, pre-
siding elder of Easton district, accepted the
presidency of Delaware College, and the
pastor of Smyrna circuit was selected by
Bishop P. NJ. Merrill, to supply the vacancy
on the district; and at the three succeeding
Conferences, he has been re-appointed to the
same responsible position.
At the session of 1858 in Easton, Pa,
brother France was ordained deacon, by
Bishop Edward r. Ames; and in Philadel-
phia, at the session of 1860, he was ordained
elder by Bishop Osmond C. Baker. From
1879 to 1886, when he was appointed presid-
ing elder, he served the Conference as one
OF its clerical stewards.
1t will be thus seen that brother France
has been steadily at work in itinerant labors
for thirty -two years, nor has his lator been
without large and substantial results. He
has been made happy in his tolls by seeing
many precious souls brought to Christ
under his ministry. If there shall be occa-
sion for him to take the place of either of
the other delegates, we have no doubt he
will render good and faithful service.