The times., 1897-08-09

Frank y. Bristol d. D., pastor OF the
First NJ e. Church, OF Evanston. ILL.,,
has not been called and has not accepted
am call from President Mckinley church,
thr metropolitan NJ E., at the corner OF
Four and a half andC streets, as announced
IN morning paper yesterday
The only foundation for the statement
as to DR. Bristol being the minister chosen
by the Metropolitan, 10 succeed DR.. john
stof, the present pastor, when his term
/ expires next March, is in the fact that
Dr. Bristol is one of several ministers under
consideration for recommendation to the
bishop or tae Baltimore conference, who
alone has the making Of the appon tsent.
1t is nos yet known who will be the
| bishop OF The Baltimore conference next
! year, arr the Committee of the Afetropoli-
| tan Church having the matter in charge,
/ tf course, has not conferred with him as
| yet.
/ A is the rule in tine Methodist Episcopal
churches. the term OF Dr. Johnston being
nearly expired q committee y as appointed
! four mouth ago by the church official
botrd TO .eorfer with the bishop to
| his successor. This committee consisted
/ of Messrs. Dnyal, Emery, Croissant, and
| Aaffitt The committee has not taken
its business up very extensively as yet
there being several moaths' time in which
| To consider the matter, but several min
listers names have been suggested.
The Metropolitan Church is On a some
what different footing than any other in
the Denomination IN America, III regard to
| its liberty uf choice Of pastors. 1t has
| always been considered national chnrch.
belonging TO the w hole country. 1t was
built by subscriptions from all over the
Emitted States. One Of the rights given 1t
| by custom is that il is not confined in the
| cbcdce 1f lis pastor 10 the Baltimore CON
4 ference d other churches in the confer
enee are
| In September the conference OF bishops
| occurs, and it VIII be decided by the
bishops vino is 10 be the bishop OF the
| Baltimore conference for the next term.
1t is with this bishop that the committee
on the next E,astor viii confer sometime
betW e,.n next September and next MaTch.
One peculiar part OF the announcement
printed yesterday is that Mr. Matthew G
Emery IL quoted as making the statement
/ that lie mas heard nothing regarding the
possible successor to DR.. Johnston, and that
he Is sure none OF the other church officials
have either Mr Emery and the other mem
iers OF the committee are the people " no
virtually make thechoice only Ia be-atified
10y the bishop Of the Conference, who is
not yet chosen
Mr.. johnston, the present pastor of the
Metropolitan, is III Europe on his vacation
The THeInbers of the committee on the new
pastor are also out OF the city. Much sur
prise was expressed by other menAbersofthe
congregation yesterday that such wholly
unfounded statement should have found its
way into print without verification
Dr. Johnston is much liked by his con-
gregation- He was at one time sick for
nearly half d year, but was still reta ined as
the pastor OF tie church, the pulpit being
filled dufiaS his abseEce by other ministers
At the service at the Metropolitan last
night It WAS agreed to send the best
wishes 9r the congregation to DR. Johnston
in answer to a letter received Saturday
IIoIn him