The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-05-28
NEW METHODIST BISHOPS.
Twelve Men Chosen Who Represent the
Activities of the Church.
Bishop Wilson


The Methodist Episcopal Church, through its
legislative body-the General Conference, which
meets quadrennially-h this year added more
bishops to its executive force than at any previ-
GUS time. This was made necessary for two rea-
sons-the growing work of the denomination in
all lands and the retirement of no fewer than
six of the bishops heretofore effective for work,
together with the loss by death of three in the
last four years. In 1900 there were four bishops
elected. This year it was decided to add no
fewer than IL; general superintendent or
bishops without restricted powers and mission
airy bishops, for the work of the church in
heather lands. The bishops who died in the
quadrennium were Drs Foster, Hurst, Ninde
and Taylor, the latter missionary bishop for
Africa. Bishop Thomas Bowman, who still sur
wives, remains on the retired list, and with him.
by his own choice, now is Bishop Stephen Nj
Merrill. while, by vote of the General Confer
ence, Bishops Andrews, Foss, Mallalieu. Vincent
and Walden are now also on that list. They are
and will then be placed on half pay for life.
The new blood in the board Of bishops includes
some OF the strongest men in the denomination,
several of whom had come near to being eleva-
ted to this most important place in the church
before: 1t is noticeable that the men chosen
lumber of votes on the early ballots. Two
thirds of the nearly ZOO clerical and lay delegates
to the General Conference had to vote for each
successful candidate, and several received in
the neighborhood of 600 votes.
The official ranks of the church are fully rem
two college presidents, Drs. James W. Bashford'
OF Ohio Wesleyan University, and James r. Day,
OF Syracuse University /; an editor, Dr. Joseph
educational work of the church, DIR. William r.
Mcdowell, corresponding secretary of the board
OF education. who for 10 years was chancellor Of
the University of Denver; another leading
church official, DIR. Thomas Benjamin Neeiy.
corresponding secretary of the Sunday School
Union and Tract Society, also editor of the Sum
day school and tract publications of the church;
one of the leading pastors of the metropolitan
a century has filled leading churches in and
around Newark Baltimore presiding elder.
DR.: Luther 3. Wilson. who has filled important
Is represented by Dr. William Burt. who for ia
years has acted for the Methodist Church in this
country In its work in Italy. and has been per-
sonally honored at the hands Of King Victor
Emmanuel III.
At the request of DR.. James r. Day. chanceI
Tor OF Syracuse University, the conference an
nulled his election as bishop by Unanimous vote
because DR.. Day in statement to the confer
ence asserted that he felt himself called to the
OF bishop. The conference then v6ted "a 81 Hat
to DIR. Day on the Episcopal board, and this ac-
ton was taken to mean that there will be no
balloting for an eighth bishop by this conference
and that the board will remain as at present
constituted.
Those elected as missionary bishops were Rev.
Drs. William Oldham and John Il. Robinson, adj
ditional bishops to Southern Asia; Rev. DIR. G..
M. Harris, to the newly created bishopric of
japan and Korea and Rev. DR.. I. b. Scott, col
ored additional bishop to Africa
DIR. Wilson, the Baltimorean chosen. is son
of DIR. and Mrs. Henry M. Wilson, of Madison
avenue. He received his early education in Bal
timore. After attending private schools he en-
tered the University of Maryland and graduated
in 1877 with an excellent record. He had prac-
ticed medicine successfully in Baltimore for one
year, when his friends were surprised by the
announcement that he would study for the
ministry and avOwed his determination to i'm
mediately give up his promising career as q
physician. DIR. Wilson's only reason for the
change of professions was that he felt called to
the ministry.
In accordance with his determination, he i'm
mediately entered Dickinson College and by
application and determination graduated with
honors from that institution four years later.
Soon after he was admitted to the Baltimore
Conference and began on the career which has
led him to the highest Office in the gift of the
church.
DR.. Wilson began at the lowest rung of the
ladder, as circuit rider, in days when circuit
going of many hardships. This appointment
was as assistant to Rev. Watson Case, at Han
cock, Md. His next appointment was to the
Clipper Church, and then to Calverton. Later
to Wesley Chapel, Washington. While
pastor of this church he was honored by the APP
pointment for term of six years as presiding
elder of the Washington district. With the ex-
piration of his term he was sent to Foundry
Church, Washington. at this church he served
elder of the West Baltimore district.
at the conference recently held in Baltimore
he was elected as delegate to the General Con-
ference at Los Angeles, which has resulted in
his election to the bishopric.
In 1881 DIR. Wilson married Miss Louisa j. Tur-
ner, of Baltimore, who is a niece of the late
Gen. John Summerfield Berry. They have
three children.