The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-10-10
The ANNUAL MEETING.
The Finding OF the Locating Committee to
be Rec0nSidered.

HE ANNUAL NEE IN6.
The Finding OF the Locating Committee to
be RecOnSidered.
The selection of Frederick city as the place
for the next Annual Meeting of the German
Baptist Brethren has developed general OPP
position among the membership Of the
churches in this county. When the locating
Committee, consisting Of Elders E. W. Stoner,
I. j.. Kolb, C. d. Bonsack, S. II. Utz and
G. S. Harp announced the result of their
deliberation almost universal surprise was
created 1t was supposed that the generous
offer Of the buildings and grounds of Western
Maryland College without charge, coupled
with the proposition of the business men of
Westminster to furnish whatever else was
necessary, would certainly induce all of the
| Carroll county members to favor Westmin-
ster. This opinion was general. The dis
appointment has been proportionate.
Shortly after the announcement OF the re-
suit conference was had, and though no pre-
cedent was found to exist as an example for
their action, the membership of the Meadow
Branch, Pipe Creek, Sans Greek and Monoc
acy churches concluded to make an appeal to
the moderator of the meeting, at which the
locating committee was appointed, and to ask
that the delegates be reconvened for the pur-
pose of inquiring into the propriety of the
| committees, action and to take such further
steps as might be necessary to secure change
of decision. The appeal, among other reasons
| given, charged that as the management OF
Annual Meeting would fall upon the Carroll
county churches and their membership, con-
shutting majority of the membership, in
which the meeting was to be held, they had
right to be heard. Another reason was given,
but as it concerns the membership only, no
occasion exists for its publication. This
petition signed by elders, delegates, deacons
and other members of the churches and ad-
| dressed to Elder VIM. H. Franklin, moder
ator of the district meeting, was presented to
| that official on Saturday, the Bird inst. AT
| the Meadow Branch services, near this city, on
Sunday last after conference with the official
and other members of the church, Elder
Franklin concluded to reconvene the district
meeting
Upon the conclusion of the regular church
service the Elder announced that in view of
the petition and complaint he had determined
to reconvene the delegates, and named Sat
urday, October 10th, / p. M, as the time Tor
the meeting, and New Windsor was the place
selected.
The estimated membership of the eight
congregations constituting the Eastern district
of Maryland is about 1900. Thees churches
of the district are expected to take charge of
l0e lutGLug5 lnu SuOulu tlltiC bC any hhihSidi
loss-which is sometimes the case-these
churches are required TO make up the def
cheney. Qfthe eight churches mentioned, four
of them, Meadow Branch, Sans Creek, Pipe
Creek and Monocacy are favorable TO the
Annual Meeting being held in Westminster.
These congregations have a membership OF
800. Bush Creek, Beaver Dam, Frederick
and Middletown Valley, in Frederick county,
have u membership of about 500, Frederick
city having a membership of about so. Most
of the members of these congregations natu-
rally prefer the more convenient point OF
Frederick city.
Inasmuch as the larger membership IS
confined to the first four churches named,
and that upon them rests the management OF
the meeting and the loss, should there be
any, it would seem fair that if they want it
they should have it.
The location committee at the last meeting,
for the purpose of reaching conclusion as to
the merits of the two places in contest, divided
up the consideration of the case into eleven
questions. They were, briefly stated, as fol-
lows:
/. On the grounds.
=. On the buildings.
3. Capacity for lodging from 5000 to 5000
people.
f. Convenience to secure lodging outside
for same number.
5. Railroad capacity for from 10000 10
10000 people.
6. Revenues to Annual Meeting from rail
roads,
I. The special proposition from Westmin
ster.
s. The special proposition from Frederick
.. Accommodation for horses.
TO- Revenue from sources other than rail
roads.
II. Proximity of membership 10 the
meeting.
The merits of each place upon the several
propositions were indicated by numbering
from one to ten. The vote, it is said showed
277 for Frederick and 257 for Westminster,
thus giving to the rival city the preference by
a majority of 20.
But when it is considered by those familiar
with the general and particular conditions of
the case, that excepting ''the revenue from
sources other than Railroads very sig !
nifcant and peculiar proposition, Westmin-
ster possessed all the advantages on all of the |
questions, the finding of the committee of a
right created surprise.
There has never been offered to any
annual meeting building and ground as those
embraced in the offer of the Western Mary
land College Aside from its splendid APP |
pointments, meeting all the comforts and con-
veniences of the church, it has q lodging |
capacity Vi zDOO. IT'S dIt tuC liuGSt |
to be found anywhere and the grounds are
vastly superior in point of extent and shade
to those Of Keenan, College in Hagerstown,
where the best meeting was held-fve years
ago.
In this connection it may be well to men
ton thata citizen of Frederick, prominent in |
the Brethren's Church, and who carefully ex-
amined our College building during the visit of
the committee here, remarked that had he the |
management of il he could make more money
out of it than he could ont of the Fair ground |
building at Frederick.
The convenience to secure lodging for the |
multitude has never been questioned by those
who are familiar with the management of
Annual Meeting affairs. The general willing
ness of our citizens and of the membership of
the church indicates what can be done, and
what will be should the meeting come to
Westminster. Our public buildings and our
hospitable homes offer all the capacity that
that may be required.
The very and most important question, that
of the anxiety and willingness of majority
of the church TO have the meeting at West
minister, should, it would appear, have deter
mined the case in our favor at the first meet
ing. If the Carroll county membership is
expected to assume the weightier response
bilities of the change they, constituting
nearly three -fourths of the entire membership,
there seems to be no reason why Westminster
should not be selected as the place for the
Annual Meeting for 1897. As prominent
member of the Meadow Branch church re-
Gently remarked ''if the Carroll county
churches are not able to handle an Annanl
Meeting who is?''
Wedding and Reception.