The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-06
BISHOP KEENER
WILL RETIRE.
He Has Served His Master More
Than Half a Century,
CONFERENCE GREATLY MOVED.
The Retirement OF This Venerable
Servant Of the Lord the Feature OF
Yesterdays Session Of the
General Conference.

BALTIMORE MD, May Sat the
ouadrcnnial session OF the General Con-
ference OF tho Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. which began this morn
ING the features were addresses Of the
Bishops and the request Of Bishop John
{. Keoner Of New orleans, the Senior
Bishop. 20 be relieved OF his duties. Bish-
Oh Keencr called the conference to or
der. Opening exercises followed. The
Rev. Dr. j. J. Tigert OF Nashville was
elected secretary and he appointed the
following assistants:
Gross Alexander, OF Louisville; A. F.
Watkins. OF Mississippi. J.. McF. Barcus,
of Texas and W. L. Mcclure, OF Mis-
souri,
The rules Of the last conference were
adopted The following were appointed
=. q. Hutchinson. e. W. Davidson. II.
r. whaling, C.. w. Care, Edward Stew
art. .....,.-...
BISHOP KEENER'S REQUEST.
Routine business was transacted and
Bishop keener was succeeded as CHAIR
man by bishop Wilson, of Baltimore
The address of bishops was read by
Bishop Hargrove OF Nashville and then
came the surprise OF the day In the re
quest OF Bishop Kcencr 20 be relieved
of his duties. Bishop Keener said in
part
matters personal 90 myself ] nave had
the honor of being an inunerent minis
Ter for ffty-six years and for half OF
that time have been one Of your gene
raj superintendents. My age and inhrn-
eties demand some relief. both for my
self and the church, and l respectfully
refer the matter OF my future services
10 your good Judgment In this city IN
1sg- thank God that ne heard my CRY,
that he forgaye my sins and called me
into the ministry in the far South. Ihere
] have been privileged 10 labor, build
ing up the Church.
Bie5op Keener's voice broke a number
OF times and members Of the conference
were In tears.
Rish0p Galloway responded. lie pd!d
"a high tribute to the retiring Bishop on
behalf Of his colleagues. The resignation
was referred to the Committee on Epis-
Copacy
% Bishop Atticus G Haygood was mem
toned ana this accommodation was
made as to the election of additional
members of the Episcopacy:
TWO ADDITIONAL BISHOPS.
We think under AN the conditions that
the work OF administration can be eff
cienty done for the next quadrcnnium by
the election of two additional Bishops at
this session of the Conference.
THE statistical tables show the net in-
crease in itincrani preachers for The four
years To- be 592 and members. l2}22l. The
81
8 gS9. local preachers 5.6sj Total los.
The total number OF members is l4'N.43l.
The value OF Church property rs go
Ooo 0oo. am increase IN four years Of g.
OooOo0.
I'VE have 14lS> Sunday schools. with
loll3j teachers and Sl4SS pupils. This
d. sn increase OF s25 schools. S.453 teachers
and S6 200 pupils. There are 34S6 Epworth
Leagues. with l265Si members. The
Church has rs educational institutions.
with 1000 teachers, 5000 pupils. property
worth 1861. $50 and endowments amount
ing 20 $2.lg $685.
I'm the foreign mission field there has
been a net glin Of Pm members llH
Sundsy school attendants 1.22j Epworth
IcaCuers. Is church building and l9 par
sonagcs. I'm self support a gain of SILL
sc So is reported our mission proper
IS worth SqSO9. on the mission debt
OF &l29 1ff7S. the church has paid $llI559.-
j.. The amount paid 90 missions In the
four years is $2C61.955SS.'
LAY DELEGATES
As TO lay delegates the following was
said.
els not the vital relation Of the lay
delegates OF district conference TO those
selected for the annual and general con-
ference sufficient reason to fix uni
form principle and method FOR the selec-
ton in an the annual conferences
The subject of union between the
Northern and Southern branches of the
church was spoken OF. as follows:
The commission of federation provided
fdr AZ your last session met a similar
one from the Methodist Episcopal church
in Washington in January last I'm joint
session which proved harmonious and
was characterized by courtesy and hearty
good will. report will be made on the
subject.
reception was rendered the delegates
IN the Fourth Regiment Armory tonight.
which was attended by 1900 persons. An
address OF welcome was delivered by
Governor Lowudes. who welcomed the
delegates on tho part Of the people OF the
State and by Bishop \. w. Wilson. who
spoke for the city churches. Bishop T..
j. Hendrix. of Kansas city. responded for
SOUTHERN DELEGATES.
The following are the delegates n
the General Conference in Baltimore from
the Virginia Baltimore and North Caro-
lima and Western North Carolina Confer
enccs.
VIRGINIA
Clerical
j. Powell Garland. Norfolk. Va.
r. y. Sledd. Danville. Va.
Paul Whitehead Richmond. Va.
A c. Brown. Ashland. Va.
A coke Smith Lynchburg. Va.
William r. EDWARDS. Charlottesville
Va
Lay
" W Smith Lynchburs Va
4. r. Kellam. Princess Anne c. r.. Va.
G l. Vawter Crozet Va.
r. W Peatross Danville, Va.
r s Paulett. Farmville Va.
John L. Branch. Richmond Va.
NORTH CAROLINA.
J. @. Kilgo Durham y 9.
r. A. Yates Durham y. G.
r y. Ivey. Greensboro y. G.
+. d. Swinden Goldsboro. y. G.
Lay
] G.. Brown, Raleigh. y. G..
=. y. Duke. Durham. y. G.
nr ID Il Zol1lcoffcr Garvgburc " &