Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-19
METHODIST PREACHERS.
The Coming Sessions of the Confer
ences of the Several Churches.

The annual conferences of the Methodist
churches in this vicinity will be held next
month, that of the Baltimore conference,
NJ. E. Church, at Frederick. Md, on March
Z, and that of the Baltimore conference
NJ r. Church South at Fredericksburg,
Va. on March %. and Washington confer
ence, NJ E. Church, at Zion NJ. E. Church,
this city. March 4
Bishop Fowler of Minnesota will preside
over the first. Bishop Granbury the second
ana Bishop Hurst over the third.
In the early days of Methodism the term
travelling preachers was not a misnomer,
ior the custom was followed by Bishop
Asoury at the annual conference to ap-
rolnt ministers for q year. and also to ex-
change places at the end of six months.
ana frequently the circuits were so large
tempfacing often several counttes) that an
appoint ment was served In some case by
me travelling preacher but two or three
times during his term. Since the old DAYS
customs have changed. At one time one
year was regarded long enough for a min
ister 10 serve In one place then two, three
Iour, and now, when minister and consre-
gation agree, 1t is possible for a Methodist
minister to serve five successive years.
Some Local Changes.
IN tne NJ e. conference, under the five
year limit, there will be but few changes
this year. Rev. A. ]. Gill~of Frederick
comes In this class. and 1t Is thought. may
De sent to Union Square. Baltimore, as the
successor Of the late Rev. G. c. Baker. The
terms OF Rev. c. d. Smith of Woodbury..
MO. q: w. Feelemyer Of Forresrville circuit,
Z. Q. Cook Of North Capitol and j. B, Stir
or Baltimore also end, and a correspondin1
number OF changes will be necessary Few
Dr. w. s. Edwards, presiding elder of Bal
tihore olstrict, VIII also conclude his term
OF six years. and this will cause a promo
ton from the ranks. There are however.
some ministers and congregations who IA
vor shorter limit, and consequently re
quest that changes be made. and in some
instances three-year and two-year terms
will be closed by mutual consent and ar
rangement.
The system Of calls being extended has Of
late grown In this conference. 1t is under
stood that this year a number of calls have
been extended to preachers, but whether
with much success can only be determined
when the bishop and presiding elders meet.
The southern Methodist conference, meet
Ing at Fredericksburg, has a time limit of
four years for presiding elders and minis
tiers, and there are in this denomination q
number who still favor the old way Under
the rour-year rule the terms Of Presiding
Elders Samuel Rodgers, Baltimore district:
P. H. Whisner, Roanoke district, and G.
I. Tyler. Morefield district, will expire and
the pastors whose terms will of necessity
change are Rev. H. H. Kennedy. Airing
ton; N. n. Hall, Upper Marlboro: c. b
Harris. Easton and Caroline; ]. w. Grubb
Warrenton; w. E. Miller, rarquier; ]. o.
Tackett. Morrisville; T. w. Brown, Luray:
j. s. Porter. New Market: J. s. Hutchin-
son. Salem; w. b. Dorsey, Fincastle; c.
Sydenstricker, Levelton; d. J.. Reid, Rom
Eey; l.. r. hardwood. Gainesboro, and w,
H. Marsh, Wardensville
The Washington conference is COMPOSED
OF the colored NJ. E. churches of the west
ern shore of Maryland. the District OF Co
lumbia, Virginia and West Virginia and
part of Pennsylvania, and is under the
same rules as the Baltimore conference