Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-17
DR.. MAYORS TRANSFER
Surprise and Indignation Manifested by
His Friends.
A General Protest to he Presented 10
Bishop FOwler-BishOp Hursrs In
huence to be Asked.

General surprise and not a little indigna-
ton has developed in the past few days in
Methodist circles over the removal of the
Rev. H. r. Naylor from the Office of pre-
siding elder of the Washington district.
Since the action Of Bishop Fowler has be-
come fully known the feeling of regret
amounting to almost open revolt, has taken
possession of the Methodists of this city,
and vigorous action is contemplated, look
ing toward a reversal of his decision in the
matter. DR.. Naylor was appointed presid-
ing elder three years ago. Under the law of
the general conference a term of six years
was allowed to this office, the appointment
being renewed at each session of the annual
conference: and never before In the history
of the conference. it is stated, has an elder
been removed in the midst of his term with
out well-defined and good reasons being
gwen for the change. 1t appears that in
the present instance no fault was found
with the work of DIR. Naylor but on the
contrary, that petitions were sent from the
quarterly conference of the various charges
throughout his district for his retention.
The Suddenness of the Act.
1t was not until few minutes before the
final adjournment of the recent conference
held in Frederick that any intimation was
given to DIR. Naylor that he was to be
removed. Just at the close of the last
meeting of the cabinet Bishop Fowler said
to DR.. Naylor that he was to be relieved
of the presiding eldership of the WASH
ington district. Dr. Naylor asked for the
cause. which led to this unlooked-for ac-
ton Bishop Fowler responded that he
had no fault to find with his administra-
ton Of the duties of his office, but on the
contrary had received only the strongest
kind of testimony as to his efficiency and
that everywhere in the district he had
only heard expressions of the highest
praise in DIR. MAYORS favor. But" he
said, I'VE think you have not had as
strong a grip in the northwest as you
might have had" The reply was some
thing of e blow to DR.. Naylor and he
recited the fact that there was very little
Methodism in the northwest. Bishop Fow-
Ter in return remarked that Dr. Naylor
should have built fine church in that
locality, something like the Presbyterian
Church of the Covenant To say that
the announcement of DR.. MAYORS removal
was surprise to the entire conference
will hardly express the feelings OF the
ministerial and lay members, who for the
first time learned the intention of the
bishop. So sudden was il that one OF the
ministers on the platform hastily left his
place while the bishop continued to read
Tor. inquired If he had resigned and what
his removal meant.
DIR. MAYORS Friends at Work.
Since the adjournment of the conference
hundreds of DIR. MAYORS friends have call
ed to express their deep concern over his
removal, and every mall is freighted with
letters from all over the District express
ing sympathy and strongly Disappearing
Of Bishop Fowler's course. A number of
the churches in this city and vicinity, in
Guiding Hamline, Foundry, Metropolitan
and Kensington, have already taken action
looking toward a revocation of the order of
~ emo oil ssr1er - al,
of all the Methodist Churches in the Dis
trict, which will be held this evening, a
petition will be drawn up requesting the
bishop to reconsider his action.
Bishop Hurscs Influence.
Bishop Fowler Is a stranger to the Dis
trict and the laymen of the Methodist
Church do not hesitate to express the opin-
ion that Bishop Hurst. the resident bishop
Of Washington, used his influence to have
DIR. Naylor removed. 1t is we'll known,
they say, that DR.. Naylor has not allowed
his enthusiasm in behalf of the Methodist
University to cause him to overlook the
crying necessities of the various churches
that have been under his charge. During
the past year he secured $4,000 for the
benefit of the Methodist churches of the
Washington district. beside getting contri-
buttons for the running expenses of the
various charges that needed assistance
He has not. however, made any effort to
University project.
Protests to he Made.
As soon as Bishop Hurst returns to the
city protests of the various churches will
be laid before him resident bishop and
the request made that he will use his in
fihence with Bishop Fowler to restore DIR.
Naylor to his charge. Bishop Fowlers
lack of familiarity with conditions in the
District is Illustrated by curious incident
which is related as occurring at the recent
conference. In reading out the lists of ap-
pointments for the ensuing year Bishop
Fowler announced the assignment of Rev.
d.. Corey, formerly the pastor of the Metro
pclitan Church, to Dupont Circle. There 10
no church at Dupont Circle. and ministers
and laymen knowing DIR. Corey's prefer
cree to remain out OF active work for the
present say that he haS been made the
pastor Of the curbstone church.
No Opposition to DIR. Wilson.
No word Of disapp-oval has been uttered
regarding the appointment of DR.. Luther
b. Wilson as DIR. MAYORS successor; on
the contrary, IL the appointment stands
DR.. Wilson will, it is clear from express
sions on every hand. be as heartily well
coined as DIR. Naylor was. Neither will DR.
Wilson stand in the way of DIR. MAYORS
reinstatement If ii should be decided upon.
He stated to a Star reporter this morning
that when he learned the feeling in regard
to DIR. MAYORS removal he telegraphed
Bishop Fowler that he would not stand in
the way of DR.. MAYORS restoration, nd,
In view of the circumstances, he requested
that such action be taken. In reply TO
this, DIR. Wilson received a dispatch from
the bishop saying that the conference ap-
pointment would not be changed. DIR. |
Wilson said that he took this action out of
personal regard for DIR. Naylor, and as he