Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-04

Who shall be invited to become pas
tor of Asbury Church next conference
year is O question which has thrown
the mother of Wilmington Methodism
into a state of extreme perturbation.
The church is very much at sea on the
question, and no nearer solution of the
problem than it was six months ago.
In fact a deadlock exists, and 1t is likely
10 continue until the assembling OF the
annual conference in March.
Three months ago the quarterly con-
ference balloted for the purpose of
ascertaining the preference of the church
and the ballot resulted as follows: The
Rev. H. S. Dulaney, 10 votes; the Rev.
Robert Watt, 10; the Rev. J. P. Otis, 2.
If the Dulaney men chad been up to
snuff they could have made brilliant
move. They could then and there have
extended their preference an official call
but they did not take advantage OF the
golden opportunity and, tiguratively
speaking, they are now going around
kicking themselves. AT the meeting of
the quarterly conference last Saturday
evening they endeavored to rectify their
mistake but the men who had voted for
Messrs. Watt and Otis, having combined
meanwhile, frustrated the attempt. The
Dulaney contingent and the anti.
Dulaneyites were equal in number, Ii
each, and every motion respecting the
pastorate offered by the former was de.
feated by tie vote. This angered the
Dulaney men and from then until ad.
journment the session was tempestuous
They were officially informed, it is said
that Asbury could not have Mr.. Dulaney
for its next pastor; Kingswood had in.
vited him to return, he had done splen.
did work there, Kingswood could moi
get along without him and his return
would be officially recommended t.
Bishop Vincent, who has been assigned
to preside at the next session of the an
nual conference.
The Dulaney faction of the quarterly
conference claims that it represents thu
preference of two-thirds of Ashury'
membership and is greatly incensed owe
its defeat. Besides being wanted b,
some of Asbury's members Mr.. Dulane,
is desired at Milton and The GAzETTl
is reliably informed he will sool
receive pastoral call from the churcl
there.
Messrs. Watt and Otis are out of th
Asbury fight. The former has been in
vited to Scott Church and the latter I
ST. Michael's, Md. While the men VIII
expressed preferences for Messrs. Wat
and Otis have combined to defeat tn
Dulaney faction they have not attempte
to have pastoral call extended to any
body.
Some exceedingly wild rumors wer
extant Sunday and Monday. 1t wa
said that some of Mr.. Dulaney's friend
at Asbury intend to prepare petition
heseeching the bishop to send M
Dulaney TO that church and that if the
wish is not gratified the praying ban
and one of the classes will withdra
from it. 1t was further stated thu
Presiding Elder Barrett is tired of tn
presiding eldeTship aud desires to retur
TO the preachers ranks, that a scheme
being formulated to make him pastor
Asbury and that the Rev. John d.
Hanna is slated for presiding elder
Wilmington district. In an intervie
Monday both gentlemen informed
representative of The GAZETTE tn
they did not put any credence in ii
rumors.
When questioned concerning the all
siou W uluiSell MI, DafTelt SdlQ: Il w
not placed ON the district by any wi
or desire of my own and will not ash
be removed. Although asked to ty
pastorates, prefer to remain on t
district and shall do so until the bish
moves me-" He has not received ofiic
calls to the pastorates to which he
ferred, but has been asked by in,
viduals. The persons who asked hi
1t is said, appealed to him to becol
their pastor. He would not name I
pastorates, but they are supposed to
Asbury and Union.
MIR. Hanna said he would not go OF
district if one was offered to him.
did not like the work of a presidi
eldership. He wanted to be transfer
to Sing Sing, and If he was not sc
there he would insist on being tral
ferred to some other place.