Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
A METHODIST BATTLEFRONT.
Organizing the Opposition to the
Rev. J. A. B. Wilson.

| A Circular Letter Calling on All the
Churches of the Dover District Which
Are Opposed to the Presiding Elder tc
Unite in the Fight Against Him.
Special Correspondence OF Every Evening.
Dover, Feb. 2.-The bitter fight thai
certain envious preachers and laymeI
of the Dover district, Wilmington NJ. Z
Conference, have been waging against
the Rev. ]. A. b. Wilson, d. D., presid.
ing elder of the district, is rapidly ap.
| preaching elimination. Yesterday
| considerable excitement was occasioned
| in Methodist circles here by the dis.
covery of secret circular which had
been sent out by DR.. Wilson's oppo.
nents. The full text of this circular is
as follows:
DOVER DEL, 1S91.-Ded,
Brofher:: We are informed that your
| church is sharer in the evil results of the
bad administration of our present presiding
| elder, J. A. b. Wilson. Our church here
| feels that it is due to Methodism to make
an organized effort to put an end to the
present administration, and to the dis
fractions and turmoils, and evil reports,
and scandal which have been brought
upon us, and, if possible, by removing the
cause, restore to the church that harmony
and goodwill which is so vital to pros
perity and success.
Looking TO this object, our official board
has made the initial move by appointing a
committee of correspondence, consisting
of John H. Bateman, Albert Cowgirl and
Charles ii. b. Day, with instructions to
open correspondence with all the churches
within the Dover district, which are suf-
fering, alike with us. the consequences of
Presiding Elder Wilson's maladministra-
ton; to ascertain from each church the
specific complaint, the cause of complaint
and the evidence obtainable TO sustain the
complaint; and to gather all facts, infor-
nation and circumstances relating thereto;
then, with care and discretion, to sift and
arrange it in proper order, so that at the
next annual conference we may be fully
prepared to present our case intelligently
and systematically to the proper authors
ties and ask relief for the existing evils.
1t is not our purpose to enter upon q
vindictive crusade of malignant persecu-
ton of the presiding elder but simply in a
digniiied, Christian spirit, to show to the
church and its constitutional head that his
administration has been and is hurtful to
the church. detrimental to her best inter-
ests, and the results have been pernicious
and baneful. 1t is our desire, also, that
all these suffering churches shall, at the
assembling of conference, send one or
more representatives. on day to be agreed
upon, TO present to the proper authorities
our claims in such form as to insure their
recognition. We desire to make our
demonstration so effective and our work
so complete that we shall put an end to
the troubles that now affect us, and render
u repetition of them impossible. To effect
this, cooperation and unity are absolutely
essential.
We are instructed to ask the cooperation
of your church, and we trust that, in the
interest of Methodism, you will see your
way clear to aid lis in the work. Will you
please communicate with lis at an early
day, and, if you decide TO cooperate with
us, will you please give us whatever in
formation you now have, and which may
come to you hereafter touching the points
indicated? We will add that it is ex-
trcmely desirable that this movement, and
all matter connected with it, shall be kept
from the public, as we deem it of the first
Importance to avoid the appearance of q
church scandal. Fraternally,
j. ii. BATEMAN,
A. Cowgirl,
O. III. Il. DAY,
Committee.
To either of whom communications
may be addressed
The circular has aroused the friends
Of DR.. Wilson, and Il peppery reply is
said to be already in the course of
1t will undoubtedly be a
when the contending forces
meet on the floor of the annual confer
ence in Wilmington next March.
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