Evening star., 1897-05-11

tCrS that II a surgical operation were per-
formed. and the carbuncle removed. there
was one chance in a hundred that the
patients life might be prolonged for a
considerable period. and DR.. Kelley upon
being informed of this decided to take
that one chance. He has rallied from the
effects of the operation to a certain ex-
tent, but his condition is such, especially
in view of the fact that he has passed the
four-score years mark, as to cause the
gravest apprehension.
Held in High Regard.
]. McKendree Kelley, who is regarded by
the Methodist Episcopal ministry of the
United States as having been one of the
really great men of the denomination for
more than forty years past. was born in
Broad Top, near Dudley, Huntingdon coun-
ty, Pa. March II. 1917, and is consequently
in his eighty-first year. He was the son
of the Rev. James Kelley, one of the or
ganizers of the old Baltimore conference
or the M. h. Church, and his mother was
the daughter of local Methodist Episco-
pal preacher, Rev. Alexander Ewing He
had all the advantages of the schools of
those days, and soon after passing his
seventeenth he year took collegiate
course, which was followed by a course of
four years in theology. Meanwhile he had
reached his majority, and soon after his
graduation went west far as Indiana
Here he adopted for the time being the
profession of teaching, and followed that
vocation in Richmond, Ind, and Cincin-
natl, Ohio.
After remaining in the west for a few
years. he concluded to remove to the east
again, and was elected principle of the
High School at Charlestown, Jefferson
county. Va. now West Virginia Here he
became acquainted with and in due course
OF time married Miss Susan Gibbs. This
lady was devoted Christian and she set
heart upon having her husband become O.
Methodist minister. So powerfully did she
plead with him that she was Instrumental
IN having him apply for admission to the
Baltimore conference, to membership in
which he was elected at the annual confer
ence which met in the spring of 1913.
MI Kelley was sent in 1862 by the pre-
siding bishop of the Baltimore conference
TO baltimore, where he was assigned to
duty as one of the preachers at Hartford
avenue Church, and subsequently, in 1854
he was transferred and became pastor of
Wesley Chapel 1t was during his pastor
ate at this church that his wife died
He was appointed to the pastorate Of the
leading M Z. church in Annapolis in 1885,
and april l of that year was married to
Miss Alcesta Stevenson, whose family and
that of former Vice President Stevenson
were distantly related. The following year
he was transferred to the Pittsburg con-
ference, and was stationed at Christ
Church. that city. Two years later Mr..
Reiley was retransferred to what was then
called the East Baltimore conference and
was stationed at Frederick.
Became Presiding Elder.
In 1861 he was appointed pastor of Exc
| ter Street Church, Baltimore, and, after
rem aiming there two years. was appointed
presiding elder. in which position he served
four years. Upon the expiration of his
term of service as presiding elder he was
sent to Danvillc, Pa, and, after staying
there two years, was transferred to the
Kentucky conference, where re remained
three Years.
He was later transferred to the Central
Pennsylvania conference and assigned to
the Pine Street Church, Wiliamsport. He
afterward became pastor of the Fourth
Street Church, Wheeling, W. Va, thence
| going to Eutaw Street, Baltimore, and
| from the latter church came to this city
and took charge Of Dumbarton Avenue
Church. Subsequently he went to Madison
| Square. Baltimore, remaining three years.
| The ensuing six years DR.. Kelley spent as
i presiding elder of Washington district of
the Baltimore conference. Upon relin-
| gushing the Office of presiding elder he
| Church, Baltimore, where, after serving
for five years. he asked to be given a
supernumerary relation. This was granted
him, and the adjournment of the Baltimore
| conference in March of last year marked
| the closing of DIR. Reiley's active work In
| the ministry, which had extended over a
period of more than half a century.
An Outspoken Union Man.
During the war DIR. Kelley was one Of the
most outspoken of all the ministers in this
| portion of the country in his advocacy Of
| the cause of the Union. He was elected
chaplain Of one Of the Maryland regiments,
| but was not mustered in, because his per-
| soral friend. Bishop Ames. did not wish
| him to re!inquish entirely his pastoral
| duties in Baltimore. Notwithstanding this
| ht wever. DIR. Kelley made frequent visits to
| the camp of his regiment, at Harper
| Ferry. and ministered to the members, al
| though he received no pay for his services
During this same year he was a delegate
| TO the general conference Of the M f..
| Church.
His Power as Pulpit Orator.
| Dr. Reiley Is universally regarded by those
who know him as a wonderful pulpit