Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-04-04
Baltimore Conference Of NJ. E. Church.
South.

The Baltimore Conference of the Nj. 4.
Church, South, began its 10th annual ses-
sion in Fredericksburg on Wednesday last,
March 2Sth,-Bishop Cranberry presiding.
Rev. DR.. J. E. Armstrong was reelected
secretary. The presiding elders made brief
verbal reports of the work done in the sew
eral districts during the year. Rev. Dr.
Saml Rodgers of the Baltimore district,
reported 439 conversions; Rev. DIR. Arm
strong, East Baltimore district 500 CONVEX
sions; Rev. David Bush, Winchester dis
trict, between 500 and 1000 conversions;
Rev. DR.. Whisner, Roanoke district, l,OOO
conversions; Rev. DR.. Tyler, Moorefield
district, 900 conversions, and other presi-
ding elders made favorable reports on this
line. The standing committees were ap-
pointed on the first day. Rev. II. z. Ham,
i'll appears on the Joint Board of Finance,
and Lay Delegate H. I. Aliley on Commit
tee on Publishing Interests.
Mount Vernon Church, Washington City,
was selected by the Conference as the seat
of its sessions in March, 1895. Invitations
we're extended by Washington, Baltimore,
Salem and Charles Town. After Washing
ton had been decided upon a resolution OF
thanks to the other places that extended in
yitations was adopted.
On Saturday Rev. Vincent W. Wheeler,
of Clifton Forge, Va, who was before an
investigating committee upon the charge OF
intemperance, withdrew from the ministry
and membership of the Southern Methodist
Church after the committee reported that
no grounds for trial existed. Rev. j. W..
| Duffey, chairman of the committee, made
the report in the case. 1t was brief one,
simply stating that after thorough inves-
tigation in Mr.. Wheeler's case the commit
| tee had found that trial was not necessary.
This was the action of the fourth committee
| in the case. The report was adopted, aud
Immediately afterward Presiding Elder
Hammond moved that Mr.. Wheeler's char
acter pass Conference promptly passed
his character. Hardly had this been done
before Mr.. Wheeler arose and, nOtwith-
standing the calls of his friends around to
sit down and keep quiet, he announced his
intention of Withdrawing from the ministry
and membership of the church. After
PRAYER for guidance aud much thought over
this matter, my BRETHREN" he said, 81 have
come to the conclusion that it is best for the
church as well as myself that | withdraw
from its ministry and membership" His
voice was husky and trembling, and his
massive frame shook with agitation. 81 do
this with malice toward no one, but with
love to you ALL" be concluded, and left the
building.
Mr.. Wheeler, in speaking of his with
drawal, said the step was taken because he
thought it was for the best, both for himself
and the church. He had no plans for the
future, and would go out into the world
with hardly a months supplies ahead. He
had no feeling of resentment toward any
one. God above knew what future had in
store for him.
Eleven applicants were admitted on trial
among them Rev. E. V. REGISTER, son of the
late DIR. Samuel REGISTER. Chas. NJ. Bragg,
formerly of Baltimore, was tried for immoral
ity and expelled from ministry and member
ship Clerical delegates elected to the Gsner-
al Conference, which meets in Memphis in
Nay, are Rsvs. R. Smithson, Collins Denny,
Samuel Rodgers, David Bush, ]. A. Kern and
P. H. Whisner. Among the lay delegates are
Hon. NJ. L. Walton, of Woodstock, Va, and
Col. Jno. A Robinson, of Hampshire county,
this State. DR.. Rodgers was reappointed edi'
tor of the Episcopal Methodist, the name OF
which will be changed to Baltimore Christian
Advocate.