Smyrna times., 1888-05-09

Milton Z. Hawkins, of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, is on a visit to his grand
parents. AGRICOLA.
Kentoa, Del., May Sth, 1888.
The Reserve Delegates to the Cen
eral Conference.
The PeRinsuIar Methodist has been
giving a biographical sketch Of the |
General Conference delegates elected |
from the Wilmington Conference at its |
last session. The following is what il
has to say ofthe Clerical Reserves, both
of whom reside in this town:
REV. WILLIAM S. ROBINSON,
the first reserve delegate to the Gener-
al Conference of 1883, was born in An
napOlis, Md. His parents, John Wes-
ley and Ellen Robinson, were promi-
nent members of the Methodist Epis-
cOpal Church, and took an active part
in establishing the Wesley church in
that city. Their son William was
converted in childhood. The family
removed to Washington, d. c., and
became members of McKendree
church. From this church young
Robinson was recommended to the
Baltimore Conference, as IA suitable
candidate for the itinerant work, and
was received on trial by that body in
the spring of 1870 He subsequently
withdrew from the Conference that he
might pursue his theological studies in
Boston University.
In 1876, he went to Europe, and the
next year travelled fredericksburg cir
cult, Md, under Rev. John Hough,
presiding elder Of Dover district, as as
sistant to Rev. Isaac Jewell. In
March 1867, he was received on trial in
the Wilmington Conference, Bishop
Randolph S. Foster, presiding, and ap-
! pointed to Harrington circuit, with
Rev. A. w. Milby preacher in charge.
At the next Conference, held March
1879, in New Castle, Del, Bishop Mat
thew Simpson presiding, brother Rob
inson was ordained deacon, and ap-
pointed to Epworth, Wilmington, as its
first pastor His subsequent appoint
ments have been as follOWs.-18SO-S
Bechwith and Spedden's: 1S82-'85,
Bridgeville, Del; 1SS5-'S7, Milford
He is now on his second year as pastor
of our church in Smyrna, Del.
At the Middletown Conference.
March, 1882, brother Robinson was or
dained elder, by Bishop John F. Hurst.
REV. JOHN FRANCE,
our second reserve delegate, received
the exceptional compliment of a unan-
imOus vote; the secretary Of the Con
ference being directed to cast the bal
lot 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 faith.
er's ancestry were attached to the
church of England. While John was
yet a child, his mother united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, showing
herself there after a consistent member
of the same, until transferred to tht
church triumphant in the 18th year o
her age.
During his youth, brother France
i parents removed to the vicinity of Viii
mingtOn, Del, and here he received hi
| educational training. He was convert
: ed when about sixteen years old, un
: der the ministry of Rev. Newton Hes
ton, who was pastor of Mt. Salem NJ
] E. Church, 1872, and at once joinet
the church, as a probationer. In hi
nineteenth year, he was licensed t.
} preach, and soon after sent out by tn
presiding elder of the Wilmington dis
: trict, Rev. 7. J. Thompson to supply
vacancy on Strasburg, Pa, circuit
g At the session of the Philadelphi
5 Conference in Philadelphia, Marc
1856, Bishop Levi Scott presiding, as
! sisted by the venerable Bishop Beverl
Y Waugh, John France was admitted o
b trial, in a class of nineteen, and az
: pointed to st. Georges, Del, as junio
e preacher with Rev. Samuel Pancoas
His subsequent appointments wer
e as follows 1877, Brandywine circu
! with John Cummins 1859, Oxfor
It with J. b. DennisOn 1859-60, Brandy
e wine, Wilmington lS60-62, New LoI
o don and Elk Ridge; 1S62-G4, CrOze
,, vile; l864-5, Mt. Lebanon 1866
It second term at Brandywine, Whining
s ton 1851, Newark, Del; 1917
is MillingtOn, Md; 1875, Mt. Salen
It Wilmington 1875-78, Cherry Hill
Nd; 1878-79, st. Georges, secou
e term 1S79-S2, Newark, Del, secon
], Of three years; 18S2-85, Zion, Md.
j. At the conference of 1885, he was al
r pointed to Smyrna circuit, but
d August of that year, Rev. DR.. j. I
(. Caldwell, presiding elder of Easton di
o trict, accepted the presidency of Del
ware College, and the pastor
Smyrna circuit was selected by Rishc
P. NJ. Merrill, to supply the vacanC
on the district and at the three su
1t ceeding Conference, he has been re-a
o pointed to the same responsible pos
D. tion.
1t At the session of 1858 in EastOn. Pa
le brother France was ordained deacO
ID by Bishop Edward r. Ames; and
r Philadelphia, at the session of 1860,
n was ordained elder by Bishop Osmol
ID G. Baker. From 1879, to 1886 whC
o: he was appointed presiding elder,
vi served the Conference as one Of
W clerical stewards.
~ 1t will be thus seen that broth
y, France has been steadily at work
to itineranC labOrs for thirty-twO Yeal
Se nor has his labor been without lar
and substantial results. He has bet
n. made happy in his tolls, by seeil
If many precious souls brought to Chri
rt under his ministry. If there shall
It's occasion for him to take the floor
n, either of the other delegates, we ha
It, no doubt he will render good and fait
}. full service.