Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-11
TERMS OF PASTORS
Removal of Time Limit in the NJ. E.
Church.
THE VIEWS OF ONE OF THE BISHOPS
Recognition of Church Law and
Rights Of People.
NEW ORDER OF AFFAIRS

NEW ORDER OF AFFAIRS
The question OF the expiration of the pas
torateS among the Methodist Episcopal
churches in this city continues to be a
leading with those most Interested in
the subject and the consensus Of opinion in
refereHc. thereto is as follows: The effect
of the removal OF the time limit from the
pastoral term is TO cause all such to expire
At tn" next session OF the annual confer
ence. Ky the former law, while pastors
could he changed AT any time, and esp, cial-
~ at The annual session of the conference.
the limitation of the term 10 five years fixed
that the objective duration of d BAR
t'cular pastorate and led both pastors and
people to consider that period as the pas
toraI term. Now all men are to be appoint
Ell annually. for their terms expire .,nnrldi-
ly. Ii will be we'll for the church meaning
thereby the pastors and the people. 10 calm
1y rest and weigh the meaning of the new
rule.
"ChaI.ge for the sake of change only is
detrimental TO all concerned. Change unless
some hing needed is likely 10 he gained by
1T is No desirable. And If changes are le-
sirabIe and needed let them be brought
about bN wise and thoughtful action that
c+mru,S thu existing bond between the pas
tors AMI their charges and preserves the
unity AMI effectiveness of the church 1t is
hoped for the general interest of all CC.f-
cerufd thai during the time preceding the
next = ~SiUu of the Baltimore annual con-
ference murh thought will be given by all
Concerned TO earnest study and reflection
upon The economy and work of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church to the end that the
new ruiz, may be tremendously and satisfac
toriIy adjusted to the conditions that pre-
Vail. ami that the church may show herself
sufficient unto things that demand her
Gtmo>; Wisdom of counsel and of action.
Bishops Views.
Aprnpas to the subject a letter received
from one Of the bishops OF the NJ z.
Church l. especially interesting. How.
asks the bishop. will the removal of the
time limit affect the work of the bishops
in liking The appointments" and continue
ing h. says: This question comes to me
frequently. and along with it has come
from Of my colleagues the suggestion
II would be well for the older bishops to
give some expression, OF, possibly. some
suggestions as to the best way to pro-
c.-i under this new order OF things. OF
course. such administrator will meet the
"bliSati"uS coming to him in his own con-
ference i'll his own way. and in the light
Of fhe special facts that appear in con-
rirctinu with each case. This has always
hrrI True. and il will continue TO be the
pr'p-r hing to do under any general regu-
l:t'iuuS that may be laid down for his
guidance. 1t is. therefore. impractical to
secure uniformity of method by any pre-
arrangement among the bishops. and the
attempt do IL Will prOba bly, not be. made.
1t is certain. however, that the new
conditions will compel the recognition of
certain facts and principles which under
liz the new legislation 1t cannot be over
looked that the trend Of thought and senti-
m-nt In the church is in the direction of
greater permanently in the pastoral rela-
ton The evils arising from short pas
turateS and easy and frequent removals
have been the chief features in the dis
rUSsiuns which have led TO the removal of
the time limit. IL must. therefore. be g.
summed that removals must he less fire.
qIIeut and less easily accomplished than in
former times. Impressed with this fact
th, bishop will necessarily enter upon his
task in the conference pretiisposed to make
a. few changes possible and 70 make
them only for sufficient cause or reason.
Changes for cause or for good reason will
h. always in order. and reasons for changes
will continue to be about the
heretofore. There may be found TO be
want IF adapta ton; there may be occasion
for the bettering of the condition Of the
pastor or his family to climate. health.
school advantages social requirements;
and there may be on the charge demands
which another can meet better than the
Incumbent
Considered Heretofore.
All these things must be considered as
heretofore. 50 that 1t cannot be expected
that permanency will be achieved at once
Indeed, the restless spirit Of preachers and
people viii not down. In all probability
there will appear new manifestations of it.
The Very fact that permanency Is aimed at,
and i a possibility in the future. will in
duce somewhat of feverish anxiety for
places before desirable points in the con-
1al
10 remain. On this account special care
will BE- required for a few of the imme-
dlately approaching years to distinguish be-
tween real and artificial reasons for seek
Ing changes. and this applies to churches as
We'll a. to preachers. The former. In their
anxiety to secure pastors whom they will
desire 10 have stay Indefinitely, will be
liable Ia overlook the merits and claims of
those they have, and fail toward them in
the matter Of justice and gratitude
In all these things the bishop is the UNI
pre-, and especially is he the prot ector of
The PARTY most likely To suffer wrong in the
preachers and committees are eyes and
ears =" him. he. having seen and heard ALL
must at last summon To his aid his best
Judgment and a good conscience and act as
one who must give account to- God
To the bishop ii is TO be inma terial
whether the new law will make fewer or a
greater number Of changes This is not his
concern Whether he favored the law or
"ppDS. Il it is not to be an clement in his adj
mlniSiratinn No effort on his part is to be
put forth 10 make II popular or odious He
takes the law as ii Is and administers It to
The best of his ability for the good of the
church In this he is the servant of the
church son in the gospel. loyal to God
AMI To duty If the new order bring good
results. he will he glad: if il cause friction
:tud p-rplrxtty and prove the occasion of
evil. he will lament and do all he can to
reduce tn ~vil to the lowest degree; and If
II bring increased responsibility 10 himself
Ii" will endure all good soldier of Jesus
Christ
Permanent Pastorates.
As ne design Of the law is to give per
I:.''uen"y Ia the passionate. so also has there
- 81 shown in connection with Its enact
n-u- q purpose to give the parties imme-
diatf"iy CONCERNED in the Appointment i
bearing. and this without the c.l"tainent
- either the power or the responsibility Of
n" bishop OF course. this is most difficult
OF accomplishments No way has yet been
devised 10 do 1t. Any division Of aut hnrity
Inevitably carries with it a division of re-