The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-04-07

The 72d session of the Maryland Annual Con-
ference of the Methodist Protestant Church
began in the M. P. Church, this city, on Wed
nesday morning, with fuller attendance than
usual on the first day. The church was APP
decorated for the occasion. Rib
bons of orange and black, the Maryland
colors, were stretched from the walls to the
large chandelier in the centre, and beneath
the chandelier is suspended in large figures
1900. Over the pulpit was a gilded arch,
bearing the words 'Welcome M. A. c."
Conference opened at 9 o'clock in the
morning, with devotional exercises led by
Rev. J. W. Neepier, who also preached the
Conference sermon.
Rev. A. D. Melvin, the President, made
his annual report. He reported the deaths of
three ministers during the year-Revs. A. ).
Walter, R. l.. Lewis and j. t. Murray. New
churches were completed at Cumberland, Con-
quest, Georgetown Circuit, Harper's Ferry,
Millville and Trinity. New churches
had been built in Belair, Dorchester, Finks-
burg, Fox Hill and Talbot Circuits, while
many churches have been improved, remod-
eled and decorated. New parsonages have
been built on Conquest and Mardela Circuits
and one at Waltersville is in course of cree
ton A parsonage has been purchased at
Frederick, Beaver Dam parsonage has been
rebuilt and others have been materially i'm
proved. Sixty thousand dollars was raised
during the year in payment of debts on church
property, new buildings and improvements.
The financial condition of the church was
shown by decided increase in number Of
the pastors salaries and it is expected that
there will be an increase in collections for
general purposes. Eight thousand five hun
bred dollars had been contributed by 73l per-
sons toward the fund of $40, 600 known as the
twentieth century fund.
During the year requests aggregating SO, 800
have been made to various interests of the
church; SIS, 900 alone of this amount will be
received by the superanuated fund from the
estate of Mrs. FL. T. Gernhart. The Mary
land Branch of the Woman's Foreign Mission
airy Society will receive $500 from the estate
of DR.. J. I. Murray, the Foreign Missionary
Society $500 from the estate of Miss Margaret
Ferguson, the Liberty Methodist Protestant
Church not less than So, 500 from the estate of
Elisha W. Andrews and smaller sums to var
ious churches. In the case of the requests of
Mr.. Andrews the will provides that in case
the church at Liberty becomes extinct the sum
shall go to the conference.
Nearly 1000 conversions occurred during
the year. The accessions to church member
ship will reach about to $500.
The afternoon session was more interesting,
there being two candidates for President, and
IA resolution to limit to FIVE successive years
the pastorate of any minister to a charge pre-
cipitated a debate that was ut times spirited
and then humorous.
The resolution was presented by Rev. j. M.
Holmes. A number Of speeches were made
on both sides by clerical and lay members.
During the discussion Rev. ]. S. Bowers, of
ST. Johns Independent Church, Baltimore,
where he has been pastor six or seven years,
declared that the resolution was aimed at a
few clergymen. Mr.. Holmes repeated Mr..
Bowers declaration and asked if he under
stood him correctly, whereupon Mr.. Bowers
replied-''That is what / said, and that is what
mean" Mr.. Holmes disclaimed aiming the
resolution at anyone, but offered it for the
good of the conference and the welfare of the
churches The resolution was beaten, but the
vote showed very strong sentiment for a five
year limit. The subject is one that will not
down, and it is probable it will be brought up
again next year.
The nominees for President of the Confer
ence were Rev. A. d. Melvin and Rev. F. I.
Little. The only objection to President Mel
win was that he had served three successive
years, and to elect him longer would be set.
that he was entitled to an equal number of
terms The conference did NOT take This view
and gove Mr. Melvin 121 votes to 66 for Mr..
Little.
The foIlow;no officers were elec,ed without
contast. Rev Dorsey Rlake Secretary: Rev.
J. H. S. Ewell, conference steward; Rev. <.
S. Fookes, church extension steward; Rev.
William FL. Litsinger. superannuated fund
steward; Rev. j. F. Wooden, foreign mission
~ stsward. Row q M Clayton General
home mission steward: Rev. G. W. Hines,
edntation steward.
eu The s,andina district committee was elected
NO fnIlows Ravs T. w Rates w stray.
ar I n K;,zsr Messrs W G. Dnlany.
w w u = r. R.t M ae5 w YET fis;lton Commi,rse
an anneals w s hammond +. T. Little. j
ID. Kinzer. John Mason, j. N. Warfield, N.
r Maann;s
l III " faIlov;nn stana;,o Committees were
nan;n,aJ '
apP Ponnd Is TrnstessJ NJ sber;da, I
S S ID d a. y G''i Ro No. mes'nn'S' '" '"
It;,arac, ~ 0rderswTbe f.cn,tv of in.
slr Gcs pv,o.s;onp D rrn;, Avsrv
no 0na. n CuiI,m r +, Hsr;ng r i
Uomo, I'LL sannsi Rnraass
Veasey ana oamuei W burgess c..h.u p w
raipl' n SEW = " Coa H. A"a''' - w.
N, Snneyyannna,es.F r Lille A w Ma,ber.
II VI Anstine' John Mason. Samuel Vaunort
and ! r SharnIey' ~
I;,eratnrewi i Kinzer. 4 r ZONES r.
n peusnm w r IJs;l,on w N Ie,, md
W W Hocker
cahha,h 0h..rv.noe-I I. Eld.rd;oa q
u 49,. EI,,'ar S;n,rson I r Marie
- I.o,es Il Grimes
ana Sames ~ oTlm r. M0lI;neaux @ H. Nc
CulIourb. II. l.. Lewis, C. L. Gibson and J.
S. Trout.
Benevolent Agencies-H. w. Dickinson, B.
F. Jester, G. j. Hill, David Cooper and w.
r. Perkins.
Fraterpal Relations-G. X. Backus, ]. w.
front. q. O. Ewing. C. s. Harris and G.
c,.oano