The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-07-25
SKETCHES
FROM THE LIFE OF A WEST vIR
GINA METHODIST PREACHER
WORTHY OF PERuSAL.
Rev. Dr.. Fullerton Reviews Through
the Columns of the Telegram His
Thirty Years Work in the West
Virginia Ministry.
sketcher XIV.

At the close of his pastoral term at
Charleston, Mr.. Fullerton was appointed
by Bishop Merrill presiding elder of
Parkersburg district The conference
this wear was held at Charleston and
four new presiding elders were appoint
ed. Mr.. Fullerton served Parkersburg
district for four years, 1850. The eld-
er's term when he went into Office was
limited to four years, but during his
term the general conference extended
the time to six years. AIR. Fullerton was
among the number who were opposed to
this xtension, hence, to be consistent, he
and two other presiding elders holding
similar views, requested to be relieved
ut the close of the fourth year.
In this and the next two or three
sketches Mr.. Fullerton proposes to speak
carefully and critically of the presiding
eldership in the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Parkersburg district was
a large and responsible field of labor. II
fronts on the Ohio river about so miles
runs out on the Il. & o. railroad to West
Union, across the country to Centerville
and Afiddlcbourne and in the opposite
direction to Harrisville, SmithviIIe and
the border of Calhoun county. This ter
ritory embraces seven counties, either
wholly or in part; has about score of
pastoral charge and pastors, and ut that
time a membership of 1000 persons. This
large field had to be visited quarterly,
and all the interests of the church care
fully superintended. During his term
as presiding elder Mr.. Fullerton was only
absent from his regular work twice;
once was caused by severela weeks
attack of malarial fever and the second
was a vacation kindly provided for by
the preachers of the district, when he
visited Ireland to spend a month with
his aged parents and other relatives
1t is n fact well known and freely spok
en- of ut the time that during this pre-
siding cldership the church in the Park
crsburg district had a season of great
prosperity. 1t has had such before and
since, possibly even greater, but the pc.
road indicated was of some special sig
nificance at that time because of Ger.
tain local questions now nearly forgot.
ten.
The general office of presiding elder is
not much understood by persons outside
the NJ. L. church or other denominations
working under similar forms of church
polity. The presiding elders office is in
many respects the most important in
AIethodism. 1t confers n vast amount
of power and responsibility within the
bounds OF the territory to which the pre-
siding elder is appointed. If the man
is kind, wise and unselish, carrying
fair amount of intelligence with his head
and heart well under control, a judge Of
human nature and not too susceptible t.
flattery or too sensitive to criticism, he
will do well and honor his office. On
the other hand, if by any means or by
mistake on the part of the appointing
power narrow minded person should
be appointed, one devoid OF broad and
liberal views, or one too easily influence
ed by others or who is willing occasion
ally to do under the wings of preju-
dice a mean thing to u brother minister
or sister church and possibly call it 10y
atty to his own, will find in this office
superior field for the development of
unholy talent, for he knows of no posi-
tdon in the Christian ministry where the
possibilities and opportunities for good
or evil are greater or more numerous
,han at this point 1t is fortunate in