Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-10-21
METH0DISTS IN AFLUTTER.
Probability Of Presiding Elder Walter &.
Avery rendering His Resignation.
MAY BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK
Prettyman Or Baker Likely to
Succeed Him.
INTEREST IN THE BISHOPS MEETING

During tho Last ak weeks memhers
of the Wilmington Methodist Episcopal
Conference have been discussing the
prohabiitypf tho Rev. Walter Il. Avery,
ID. D., Tssigning the presiding elder
ship OF the Salisbury district, to which
position ne was Hppoluted Mt tho con
ference session heli 20 ChestortUwn last
March, succeeding the Rev. Wilbur II.
Corkran, ID. D., VINO WINS transferred
tn the Eastun district pIeaiding older
ship. DIR. Avery has henn i'll most OF
the time since his appointment, suffer-
ing from nervous proetration, and, it Ia
stated, no was unable 10 attend the
second round quarterly conferences. IL
is asserted that ho has had tho question
Of reBigning under consideration for
several months. At first it was Thought
he would not resign before the end of
the conference year, but now it is be-
Loved he will present his resignation
at tho episcopal meeting which will no
held in baltimore next week, when, it
is expected, the refrigeration will be tie.
ceptGd anu a successor appointed. ,t7
II DIR. Avery resigns 1t 10 alleged,
the contest waged at the last coz ference
session will bo renewed with incrDasod
vigor. His strongest competitors were
the Rev. Q. W. Prettyman, -. d., of
Salisbury and the Rev. q. S. Baker of
FRirmuunt, and it is thought one Of
these ministers will SUCCEED him
During the late conferences session
Bishop Walden received lettera from
Cows Tunnel and Lown,les. urging Mr..
Bakers Hrpuintment and the bishop
was calen upon hy "a member of Gov.
lIowndes' staff and other MARYLAND
politicians. hut the delegation was
hunniliated by one of the callers making
a remark which cansnu the bishop to
reply: Dung man, you are fresh ~
The youthful wirs-puller's wurds, ii
than was declared, destroyed Mr.. Baker h
chances for the position. One OF Mr.
Bnker's best taienta, il is claimed. is
tho ability to SECURE large missionary
collections. HIS COLLECTIONS for mis-
sionary purposes are always in excoss
OF the sum apportioned. ThoRe who
object TO him being appninted presid.
| ing elder bnse their objection ON the
assertion that he belongs to what
Methodists term the Wilson faction.
1t 10 hinted that each faction will lie
represented at the meeting to be hold
! in Baltimore, and that each will
struggle to secure for presiding officer
OF the next conference session bishop
who will favor lis followers. The
| bishop assigned TO preside at the con.
ference session to be held at Lewes next
March will appoint DIR. Avery's sue.
Cessor.
DR.. Prettyman, it IL stated, is highly
recommended for the presiding elder.
ship. He also has Il fine pastornts al
Salisbury and his appointment as elder
would create Il vacancy which DIR. Avery
Doubtless would DO selected to fill.
The assignment of bishops will be
awaited with intense interest, uot only
because of DIR. Avery's probable resigna
tion, but also BECAUSE of the fact that
presiding elders for tho Wilmington
and Dover districts arc to 10 chosen
next March.