Evening star., 1896-04-01
METHODIST PRoTEsTANTS
Changes That May Be Made in the Wash
ington Pastoratea
Annual Conference to BE Held in
Baltimore TOday-GOssip as to the
Future of Local Churches.

The sixty-eighth annual Methodist Prot
estant conference of Maryland meets in
Alnut Memorial Church, corner of Lom-
bard and Chester streets, Baltimore, today.
The sessions will last until the Sth instant.
The Maryland conference includes the
states of Maryland, with the exception of
Garrett county, in the western portion,
Delaware, a part of Virginia lying ada
cent to Washington and the District of Co.
lumbia. Each year presiding officer Is
elected, who may rot hold office for more
than five years. Rev. John D. KinZer,
DID, of Baltimore, is the presiding officer,
and having held the Office for the past four
years with success, it is very likely that
he will be elected for another year.
In the Maryland conference there are 121
charges some Of which are circuits, and
275 churches, together with 80 parsonages.
These are in charge of 126 ordained pas
tors not including local preachers, and
they minister to about 22,UOO members. The
total value of the property belonging to
the church, according to the last report, is
81, 49, ,17o. There are II churches OF the
denomination in Baltimore ard 3 in this
city The constitution of the church per-
1aits of a pastor being changed from year
to year, or of his being kept at one place
as long as he is considered useful. This
fexiblity of rule makes it possible for sur
prises to take place, and this, 1t is thought,
Washington pastorates.
The Washington Pastorates.
These latter are as follows: Congress
Street, Georgetown, Rev. Walter r. Gra-
ham. DID,, 31st street between NJ and N
northwest, who has served five years in
his present pastorate; Central, corner of
18th and NJ streets, Rev. Samuel j. Smith,
pastor, who has served three years; First
Church, corner of 5th and Virginia avenue
southeast, four years; Mount Tabor, corner
of 32d and 36th streets northwest, three
years. and North Carolina Avenue, Sth and
r streets southeast, Rev. E. c. Makoskey,
pastor, who has just finished. the second
wear of his pastorate. These appointments
are made by the president OF the confer
ence, who is similar to Methodist Eplsco-
nal bishop, and who cohsults former presi-
dents of the conference, conVersant with
the various portions of the conference.
This year the executive, DR.. kinzer, was
over in Washington about two months ago,
and was then reported as saying that he
would be likely to change ali five OF the
local pastors.
Now. it is not thought likely that the
changes will be so sweeping, but still there
are likely to be two at least. Congress
Street is the largest and most influential OF
the congregations of the denomination in
the District, and Is, consequently, much
sought after. The present pastor OF the
v.
of coming back, but d faction of the con
gregatior is opposed to him. Much feeling
has been expressed ON both Sides At the
recent meeting of the congregation for the
election of officers and the transaction OF
church business for the year the party that
take sides with the pastor succeeded In
electing their candidate as delegate, repre-
senting the laymen of Congress Street In the
conference If the opposition are able tc
muster in sufficient strength to carry their
point they will ask for as pastor the Rev. w
s. Hammond, now pastor of Baltimore
church.
Outside of this trouble Of DR.. Graham's
all the other congregations are working in
harmony, though one has failed to instruct
its delegate to work for the return Of its
pastor, while the other three have so in.
.structed. The congregation of Rev. E. c.
Makoskey have asked for the return OF
their pastor. but this is not likely to be done
All of Mr.. Makoskey's relations have been
In harmony with his congregation, but it Is
thought that he is desirous Of a change
and consequently will step out.
The other three pastors may not .be
changed, but it is possible and probable tina,
one, at least, will enter on a new field OF
labor.