Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-01
METHoDIsTs IN CONFERENCE.
Annual Meeting Of the Northern
Branch of the Church.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE, Nd. April 1.-The one hun
dred and nineteenth annual session of the
Baltimore conference, Methodist Episcopal
Church. opened at the First Church here
this morning with Bishop James N. Fitz-
gerald presiding. Before the calling of the
roll Bishop Fitzgerald, assisted by the five
presiding elders-Drs. Richardson, France,
Baldwin, Naylor and McKenney-oficiat
at the administration Of the Lords supper.
Rev. George E. Maydwell, pastor OF
Waugh Church, Washington. who has
served as secretary of the conference for a
number OF years, was reelected to that
position.
Bishop Fitzgerald arrived here yesterday.
and Is the guest Of Mr.. James G. Hooper.
Last evening the bishop conferred with the
presiding elders who constitute his cabinet,
and the work Of the conference was in
formally discussed. 1t is understood that
Bishop Fitzgerald will make as few changes
as possible. Ministers will be sent back to
their present work wherever 1t is possible.
Much interest centers in the selection OF
successor to Rev. DR.. c. w. Baldwin. pre-
siding elder OF the West Baltimore district,
whose term OF six years expires by nmita-
ton. Those most prominently spoken OF for
the Office are Rev. DR.. L. B. Wilson, pastor
OF Foundry Church, Washington, and form
erly presiding elder Of the Washington dis
trict: Rev. DR.. w. L. Mcdowell, pastor OF
Broadway Church, this city, and Rev. DR..
M. F. B. Rice. pastor OF West Baltimore
station.
Some years ago a resolution was intro
duced into the conference requesting the
presiding bishop not to appoint minister
to the presiding eldersh1p who has once
filled that office. DR.. Wilson then voted in
favor Of the resolution. Some now wonder
II he will push his consistency to such a
point as to refuse the appointment, as 1t is
understood that Bishop Fitzgerald favors
Wilson anDOtn emf
Of presiding elder is the bishops own ap-
pointment, and while he generally consults
with members OF the conference about the
matter he does not take the recommends
lions OF the cabinet for that appointment
as he does In making up the plan Of ap-
pointments for the ensuing year.
The following appointments have practf-
cally been decided upon: Superintendent of
Extension Society. Rev. DR.. c. w. Bald
win: pastor Of Foundry Church, Washing
ton Rev. r. M. Moore Of the East Balti-
more Church; pastor Of Ryland Church.
Chapel. this city; pastor Of Douglas Ne
Bacon Of Union Square. this city.
The greatest gathering Of Epworth
Leaguers ever seen in this city took place
last night, when the conference anniversary
was held In First Church. Even an over
flow meeting in the chapel OF the church
was unable to accommodate the vast num-
bers who went thither, and several hundred
were unable to get within the doors of
either church or chapel.
One Of the features Of the program was
the singing Of the Lyric Quartet of WASH
ington, composed OF Mrs. Charles Bayly.
soprano: Mrs. Charles Henney, contraIto /:
Miss Elizabeth Wahly, soprano. and Mrs.
D. DIN Leech. contralto. Addresses were
made as follows: THE Social Opportunity
of the Epworth League" Rev. A. H.
Thompson: Am 1 Ready for Work." Rev.
John w. R. sumwalt; THE Spirit OF Wes-
ley" Rev. Don s. Colt.
Officsrs for the ensuing year were elected
as follows: President, Rev Page Milburn,
Washington; vice presidents, Mr.. r. L.
Reamy, Miss Letitia Wheer, Rev. L. w.
Gosnell. Baltimore; Mr.. L. M. Bender, Mar
tinsburg, w. Va: Junior League superin-
tendent, Miss Christine Peterson. Balti-
more; treasurer, Mr.. Charles Davis, Balti-
more; secretary, DR.. J. H. Wesler. Wash
ington.