Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-06
MAKES HASTE SLOWLY
Few ApPo1HrMEgTs DECIDED ON
IN BALTIMORE.
Case Of Rev. W. H. Black Causes .
Stir at Saturdays
81
Session.
scial Dispatch to The Evening Star.

AN"AOASAS, AAAo-s <1pii W AiAAN ~A-S
business proceedings of the Baltimore con-
ference Methodist Episcopal Church, meet
ing here at First Church, are advanced as
far as at former sessions, the assignment
of the ministers to fields Of labor for the
ensuing year has not progressed so well
and but few appointments have been def
nitely fixed by Bishop Fitzgerald. The
bishop and the presiding elders. who con-
stitute his cabinet. have met every after
noon since the opening of conference, and
yet none of the important changes have
been decided upon
There are unusual difficulties in the work
this year, owing to the overcrowded condi-
ton OF the conference. To show how slow
the work is, it took one whole cabinet meet
ing to decide the future field Of labor of
Rev: Dr.. George w. Miller, pastor OF st.
Paurs Church, Washington, which church
has consolidated with Foundry, making one
less charge in the plan of appointments.
What to do with Rev Hugh Johnston, pas
tor of First Church, this city, and formerly
pastor of Metropolitan Church, Washing
ton, Is another problem, in the solution OF
which great finesse must be used, II DR..
T. p. Frost is to be transferred from the
Newark conference as his successor. Natu-
rally DR.. Johnston should be transferred
out, and 1t is understood that Bishop Fitz-
gerald hopes to accomplish this end. The
bishop has already spoken to DR.. Johnston
OF charge in another conference, but
nothing definite has been decided upon.
Nor have the difficulties surrounding the
Ferris-Frost transfer as reported In The
Star Saturday, been simplified
1t was stated last night that the following
appointments are practically settled: Foun-
dry, Washington. r. M. Moore: Ryland.
Washington, R. L. Wright: Douglass. Me-
mortal, George c. Bacon; First Church,
Annapolis, G. W. Miller; Havre de Grace,
w. M. Van Arsdale; Franklin Street, Bal
r6 How I'M OFT
Copes; Wesley Chapel, Baltimore, ]. ST.
Clair Neal. Rev. ]. o. Wrighton is spoken
Of for Union Square, Baltimore, and Rev.
H. D. Mitchell for East Baltimore station.
Bishop Fitzgerald, assisted by the five
presiding elders, OBLIGATED at the ordination
service, held at Broadway Church yester-
day afternoon. These were ordained:
Local deacons-J. r. Boblits, W. L. Lynn
]. M. Belts, c. s. Hawley.
Travelling deacons-L. w. Gosnell. James
w. H. Beale. John H. Jeffries, c. H. Wag-
ner.
Local elder-R. Bradley Jones'
Travelling elders-Vernon N. Ridgeley.
Fletcher G. Watson, George F. Stiles. A. E.
Slagle, ]. M. M. Gray.
The most interesting feature of the ses-
sion on Saturday was a spirited debate
growing out of the following resolution:
AT the fourth quarterly conference of the
Dumbarton Avenue Church, Washington.
the following was adopted:
Resolved, That the board Of trustees Of
the Baltimore annual conference be, and
they are hereby, respectfully requested to
ascertain what disposition. If any, has been
made of the sum Of $160O paid to Rev. w.
H. Black Of Washington in October. 1897,
as trustee Of the West Georgetown
Church, for the purpose, as we are in
formed, of investing the same in property
for the use of the said West Georgetown
Church. said money being part Of the pro-
ceeds Of the sale of the bid West George
town Church, corner of Both and T streets;
and Il no such disposition Of said money
has been made, to inquire by what title the
same is now held by Rev. William H.
Black"
Dr. Naylor presiding elder Of the Wash
ington district. introduced the resolution,
and in the course Of his remarks stated that
Mr.. Black, prior to the meeting Of confer
ence. had dared him to bring the matter up
for discussion. Rev. W. H. Chapman and
Rev. DR.. E. L. Hubbard, pastor Of McKen-
dree Church, Washington, went to the de-
Tense Of Mr.. Black, and in reply. DIR. Nay
lor stated that he had no confidence in Mr..
Blacks integrity. DR.. Chapman stated that
Mr.. Black was acting as supply of Little
Falls Church, and this statement brought
Dr. Naylor to his feet again. and he de-
without his the presiding elder's) authority
or knowledge. Il am the only one,' said
DR.. Naylor. who has the authority to ap-
point supply in the Washington district,
place. At this juncture the statistical
secretary, produced certificate showing
that collections had been lifted at Little
Falls charge, and that Mr.. Blacks name
was signed to 1t. One Of the ministers then
moved that the money be returned to Mr..
Black, as it had been collected without au-
thorty, but, after some debate on the ques-
ton, 1t was decided that the statistical
secretary should hold the money.
Dr. L. B. Wilson, formerly presiding elder
Of the Washington district, said that about
seven years ago controversy be-
tween Calvary and Dumbarton Avenue
West Georgetown, and that by order Of the
court, the property was sold. He said that
Dumbarton Avenue congregation received
5000. and that Mr.. Back, as treasurer of
the Calvary board Of trustees, was paid
$1,000. DIR. Wilson said that in view of the
fact that Mr. Blacks character was not
officially before the conference, he hoped
there would be no impugning of that gen
tleman's motives. Rev. Page Milburn, pas
tor Of Union Church, Washington, finally
moved that the whole matter be referred to
a committee of five, all residents of Wash
ington, and that the presiding elder of the
Washington district should be chairman of
the committee. The motion was carried.
During the debate Dr. c. Herbert Richard
son, formerly a member of the Baltimore
bar, got into tilt with Bishop Fitzgerald
on legal point. He maintained that no
matter what action was taken. the only
way by which Mr.. Black could be forced to
give accounting of the money would be
to take the matter into the civil courts.
Will Explain to Proper Authorities.
When asked for statement by a reporter
for The Star today Rev. William H. Black
pastor of Little Falls M. e. Church. on the
Conduit road, declined to make state
ment with regard to what has been done
with the 81, eco said to have been paid him
six years ago as a part of the proceeds
from the sale CT the old Calvary NJ. E.
Church property, at the corner Of Both and
streets, in Georgetown.
Mr.. Black, when seen today at the pen
sion office, where he is employed as a clerk
stated that he was ready 10 make a state
ment to the proper authorities about the
matter. but at this time he had nothing to
say for publication, because he had re-
ceived no official communication concerning
the action of the conference. He stated
that until he knows EXACTLY the information
desired of him by the conference he does
not desire to talk about the matter
Mr.. Black has been a resident Of Wash
mgton for many years,aand at present re-
sides at 1130 9Th street northwest He Is
veteran of the civil war. He served several
local Methodist churches as pastor In
former days. For about a year past he has
been preaching to atsnaal CONGREGATION at
the Little Falls M. B.-Church near the
Chain bridge. where, 1T Is stated, he has
voluntarily given his services. This small
church was formally IN idded in country