The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-02-27
The BALTIMORE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

/ First Church Baltimore, Rev. DR.. Hugh
/ Johnston. Pastor, will have the honor OF
entertaining thcf 10th session of the
/ Baltimore Annual Conference. The scs-
sion will open at O'Clock on Wednesdiy
morning, April L.
The presiding Bishop, James H. Fitz-
erald, is new man. Although in the
| office of General Superintendent since
May 1888, this will be his first visit to
! this Historic Conference At the time ofhis
/ election to this high position in the church,
| he was the Recording Secretary of the
Missionary Society. Previous to assum-
| ing the duties of this position he had
I filled prominent charges in the State of
New Jersey. He was cduca ted for 4
lawyer, and, for awhile, practiccd at the
bar. His conversion changed the current
of his thoughts, and the desire of his
heart, and soon thereafter, he felt the call
from his Lord to stand on the Walls of
Zion" and prOcl; i'm the words of saliva
ton through Jesus Christ, our Lord. He
was not disobedient TO the Heavenly cali.
but gave himself to the work ASSIGNED
him.
The Church soon had the C0nyiction
that his life business would be to preach
The Gospel and he accordingly welded
himself to the work Of the Afefhodis+
Episcopal Church.
Ills mind IS keen, discriminating. and
clear. His knowledge OF Church law and
parliamentary values, exact. Fairness is
one OF his characteristics He calmly
weighs all the facts surrounding a case
and then makes up his mind, it is general
lY correct. He comes to the Conference
at a time when number of the LEADING
Churches will likely change pastors and
there Will be number of problems thar
will require judgment and tact.
No doubt he will be equal to the occo-
sion and his administration give salts
faction. 1t is not expected that the an.
poIntments will please all. Some must be
disappointed. 1t is one of the nobIest
traits OF character i'll a Methodist
preacher, when his assignment is not to
his liking, yet, with an uncomplaininp
spirit. and loyal devotion to the economy
OF Church, lie goes forth to contribute
his very best service for the cause ofGod
and his beloved Zion. These are the men
who will III the end, receive the highest
reward. We do not mean earth. but
where true worth is never overlooked.
On the other hand, those churches who
are disappointed in not securing tbe
services of the one they desired; at the
same time, receive the one who NAV he
designated, not in grumbling manner
but with smiles, warm hand and
a determined purpose, to cc-operate in
all the work of the Church, may expect
the blessing of God.
The doing away with the time limit
leaves the appointments enshrouded in
mystery, except where churches and
pastors have expressed a desire fo1.
changes These may not all be secured
yet it is reasonable to expect that such
wishes will be gratifed if possible
Reasons should be very strong TO in.
fiuence the appointing power to do
otherwise.
AT the present time your corresporden
does not deem it wise, to name T rearhers
or churches where changes are expected
He might give Il list of possibilities. This
would not be wise, hence he refrains from
entering within this unknown territory
tontented to wait the revelations vet TO
be made. Here are some facts that your
readers may consider. Two men who
serve missions and were not amenablc
tn the i've years limit, one has been in
his place few years. +. d. Chada, the
other, William Sheers, s wears. Two
have served seven years, W. L. Mcdowell.
at broadway, and W. G. Herbert at
Caroline street. Five have served six
years. J. L. McLain. Twentv-fourth
street, }. st. Clair Neal, Hartford Avenue,
:. y. Isaac, Anacosta, D. C.;E, II. Lamar,
arnheton ana w. w. Davis, West Har-
lord: Twelve have served five years:
Hugh Johnston, First Church, !. F.
Ensor. Clifton, ]. r. Pardew, Magothv,
]. T. Hart. Chester street, W. G. Mcneil,
Homestead. J. T. Marsh, Monkton, |. I.
Winger, Elk Garden, s. NJ. Hartsack,
Douglas Memorial, F. NJ Bristol, Metro
politan, H D. Mitchell, Bethany, G. c.
Bacon, Union Square, and J. P. Wright,
Gainesville. In addition twenty-four
have served four years, thirty have served
three years, forty-three have served two
years and sixty, one year. The last num-
Der represent the changes that took place
last Conference
From present indications there will be
more changes at this session than al the
last. But one Presiding Elder must
change by expiration of time, Charles w.
BALDWIN, OF the West Baltimore District.
He has labored hard and earnest for six
years and the Lord has blessed him in his
work.
INV WIZ SbiSSSNd MN Is llOI Known,
Quite number of probabilities have been
mentioned but no one can speak with
This will only be known
when the good Bishop shall make his
selection. 1t is very important posi-
tion and requires a man suited along
different lines to fill the position as il
should be manned. The Baltimore
Church Extension andMissionarv Society
will cPlRrt mamie ,>F H.
ence for the place of Superintendent.
This is place that requires a man of
executive and revivalistic ability.
There are number of brethren who
NIL positions as agents, presidents and
professors i'll schools, etc. These will
be returned.
During the year three have died, Ben
nett H. Smith, ]. H. NJ. Lemon and
Philip {. Edwards. Two first were
among the old men of the Conference, the
last named, filed an effective relation,
but was beyond middle-life. Their
record on earth is priceless legacy, their
reward i'll heaven is secured G. X.
Murray WHO for the last three wears has
acted as the agent of the Woman's Col
lege, in connection with the Twentieth
Century Manufacturing Fund, will re-
turn TO the pastorate.
While no one can forecast he matters
that will be discussed at Conference, it
can always be said, that interests will be
considered that will call forth earnest de-
bate, and invest the session with special
The Baltimore Conference has a host
OF trained debaters, and when occasion
calls them forth, it is somewhat difficult
to stop the flow OF oratory. The mission
airy sermon this year will be preached by
Edward l.. Watson, pastor of Harlem
Park Church. The memories Of the de-
ceased preachers will be prepared by
Charles E. Guthrie, T. E. Copes and 4.
J. Gill.
During the year there has been some
over change made in the
matter of selecting the directors of the
Book Depository. Whether the subject
will engage the attention Of the Confer
ence remains to be seen.
Some new churches and parsOnages
have been erected, and provision made
for enterprises i'll the near future.
While the spirit of revival has prevailed
i'll many of the charges, throughout the
Conference, we doubt if the number re-
ceived on probation will equal last year,
which was 3 ,94S.
The completion Of the Rust Hall, in
in connection with the work
OF the Woman'S Home Missionary So
ciety, the raising of nearly $50. 900 nv
the Church Extension and Missionary So
ciety, of Baltimore, for great forward
and the dedication of the
church at Havre de Grace, the
gift of Mr.. s. ]. Seneca and wife, arc
the most i,,,r,nr+o,,+