The evening times., 1900-04-05
GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
Glowing Reports Submitted at To-
days Methodist Meeting.
Presiding Elders Tell of "a Years
Work in Their Districts-Dr. VIII
son Describes the Condition of the
Denomination in WashiuSton-Dr.
NayIor May Be Presiding Elder.

The Baltimore Conference of the Methc-
dist Episcopal church. whichis in its 116tt
annual session in the Metropolitan NJ. E.
: Church, convened this morning at s
O'Clock. The first half hour was given tC
devotional services. Rev. w. H. Chap
man leading in prayer and Bishop Walden
presiding.
Bishop Walden began the business meet
ing with a short address reviewing the
church work of the year.
The reports of the presiding elders were
then read. They were uniformly of a
| hopeful and encouraging nature showing
! good financial condition and continued
increase in church membership. Reports
/ were presented by Rev. W. NJ. Ferguson,
presiding elder of the Baltimore district;
Rev. w. S. Edwards. presiding elder of
the East Baltimore district Rev. w. l.
I McKenney. presiding elder of the Freder-
ick Md district, and Rev. c. w Bald
win. presiding elder of the West Balti
more district
Rev. l.. B. Wilson, the presiding elder
Of the District of Washington, read the
last report
He paid glowing tribute to the mem
/ bers OF the District who had died during
the past year. He dwelt al length on the
loyalty of Hamline NJ. E. Church Dr. Viii
son reported the expenditure Of consid-
cradle sums in church improvements. ana
the payments made on old Indebtedness Of
the various churches in the District.
/ Church building was one of the features OF
the work this year. He concluded with
.
/ trict is in an excellent condition.
After the report OF Or Wilson had been
read recess was taken at 1890 o'clock
until O'Clock p. m. 4 number of COM
mittees are meeting this afternoon in the
auditorium Of the church. The Woman's
Home Missionary Society celebrates its
anniversary at , O'Clock this afternoon.
Rev. DR.. Bristol will deliver a lecture
tonight for the benefit of the Preachers
Friend Society. His subject will be
Franklin and Whitened''
The Board OF Trustees of the Corcoran
Art Gallery have rendered an invitation to
the conference to d reception TO be held al
The gallery tomorrow evening at 9 O'Clock.
There is considerable speculation as to
who viii succeed the retiring Presiding Ell
der Of the Washington District, Rev. l.. r.
Wilson. There are TWO aspirauts for the
Office Rev. Dr. Mayor. Of McKendree NJ
r. Church. and Rev. :. NJ Hartsock. 1t
seems 10 the prevailing opinion among
the delegates that Rev. Dr Naylor will be
appointed to the dignity He has a very
strong backing especially in the Washing
ton district. and is said 10 be logically en-
titled TO the appointment. The presiding
chairman will announce his appointments
Of the three presiding elders toward the
close of the conference
Rev Mr.. Koontz. OF Baltimore il is said
viii make a motion In one Of the sessions
OF the conference of the near future hav-
ing for its purpose the purchase 10y the con-
ference of the church paper the "Balti-
more Methodist This motion will be
made because. as Mr.. Koontz says. there is
no paper at present which fully supports
the purposes and intentions Of the Balti
more Conference.