Evening star., 1897-01-12
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE
Current Gossipin Regard to Coming Pastoral
Changes.
Two Vacant Washington Pulpits
McKinley's Choice of a Church.

The approach of the annual meeting OF
the Baltimore conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal church ia creating q stir among
the local members Of that denomination,
ministers as well as laymen. The con-
ference will meet March 3, about two
weeks earlier than last year, In Utah
Street M. E. Church of Baltimore, and
will be presided over by Bishop w. H.
Mallalieu. Although there are only
two changes in the pastorates In this city
necessarily to be made this year, the con-
ference promises to be as interesting local
ly as that of last year. In fact, a minister
said the other day to Star reporter
that person in a high position and in a
position to know has stated that there will
be number Of changes made. According
to the rules of the Methodist church a
minister is appointed from year to- year,
but cannot stay more than five years con-
secutively in any one place. The two
places that will be vacant in Washington
by reason OF this rule are those of Foun-
dry. corner of 14th and G streets north
west, Rev. Oliver A.. Brown, DID. pastor,
and of Anacostia, Rev. James McLaren,
pastor. More than ordinary interest at
taches to the first named church from the
fact that rumor has it that President Nc
k1nley will worship there. Some time ago
1t was thought that the Rev. DR.. j. NJ
King, D.D.. pastor Of Union M. F. Church.
ANe" l 1oih CITY, WOulu De asked TO come to
Foundry. DR.. King is one of the most
prominent pastors in the Methodist church
and at present he occupies commanding
position as pastor Of the largest church
of the denomination in New York city.
President Mckinley is acquainted with
DR.. King and If any minister Il likely to
be selected from outside the coSference
he is the man. There are difficultieN how
ever, in the way of securing pastors from
other conferences and consequently it is
thought that Foundry's congregation is
looking around in this neighborhood, es-
pecially as there are two or three eligi-
BILE divines. The name most frequently
mentioned of these and whom it is said
the officers of the church have about de-
cided on, Is the Rev. Lucien Clark, DID,,
pastor of Madison Avenue Church, Balti-
more. DR. Clark is compelled to leave
Madison Avenue in March, by the expira-
ton of the fve-year limit, and consequent
ly, as he must be provided with charge
Foundry seems the most desirable one in
the conference. Other names who have
been mentioned in connection with Foun-
dry are those of Rev. Luther B. Wilson,
DID,. presiding elder of the Washington
district. and of the Rev. Luther P. Town
send, DID,. late pastor of Mount Vernon
Place Church, Baltimore.
Mr.. Mckinley has sent cordial letters to
each of the congregations which have
invited him to worship with them, but the
letters resemble each other so nearly that
none can say that he has shown any par
es have invited him and one intends to do
so. They are Foundry. Rev. o. A. Brown
pastor; Metropolitan, Rev. Hugh Johnston,
DID,, pastor; Union, Rev. Alexander Bic
laski, pastor: Trinity, Rev. Gustavus w.
Hobbs. and Fifteenth Street, Rev. W. w.
Van Arsdale.
The question of which is to be the Presi-
dents church and who is to be its pastor
is not the only one that Is agitating the
ministerial minds. While Foundry is the
only large charge in this city to become
vacant, still the vacancy in Baltimore
caused by DR.. Clark's removal, and that
in one of the Baltimore districts in
the case of the Rev. ]. st. Clair Neal,
caused by the same reason, gives two good
places. Franklin Street, Baltimore, will
also be vacant by reason of the limitation,
and it is said that the members of that
church are looking toward the Rev. Chas.
L. Pate, pastor Of North Capitol Street
Church of this city, as an available pas
tor. 1t is also said that there are chances
for removals in the cases Of Rev. c. w.
Baldwin of Wesley Church and of Rev.
G. W. Hobbs of Trinity Church. When
Mr.. Hobbs came to Trinity Church last
March he found there very serious split
in the congregation, but this he has par
TALLY healed over by means Of his good
nature and excellent tact, SO that 1t is
not considered very likely by those who are
in a position to know that he will be
changed. No names have been mentioned
for Anacostia Church. and 1t is not yet
known where either DR.. Brown or Mr..
McLaren will be sent to.