Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-31
METHOD|sTs CONFER
One Hundred and Twentieth
Annual Conference.
MEET IN BALTIMORE
SESSIONS ARE PRESIDED OVER By
BISHOP Foss.
Presiding Elder France Makes Severe
Criticism-Reports of Church
Work Gratifying.

BALTIMORE March 31.-The Baltimore
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, which began In Fayette Street
Church, Baltimore, yesterday morning, with
Bishop Cyrus D. Foss of Philadelphia pre-
siding opened it's second days session to-
day with a large attendance.
The conference opened yesterday morn
ing by the administration of the sacrament
of the Lords supper, the services being
conducted by Bishop Foss, the presiding
bishop, assisted by Presiding Elders Rich
ardson, France, Mckinney, Wilson and
Naylor, and by Rev. ]. F. Heisse. pastor
of the conference church.
Organization was effected by the election
of Rev. George e. MaydweH secretary,
Revs w. G. Herbert and H. f. Downs as
sistants and of the following assistants to
the statistical secretary: w. g. Mcneil, L..
E. Bennett, E. E. Marshall, G. B. Stiles. C.
g. Girelius, B. w. Meeks, J. H. Brunges,
J. NJ. NJ Gray, r. ]. Nicholson, n. 8.
Hayes, treasurer: assistants, f. r. Isaac,
T. E. Copes, ]. T. Enser and v. N. Ridge
ley.
The lay electoral conference, which will
choose the lay representatives from the
conference to the quadrennial gathering,
will also meet today. Messrs George w.
F. Swartzell of Washington, president
of the Layman's Association; Milton G.
Urner of Frederick and Lee NJ. Bacon and
Summerfield Baldwin of Baltimore are said
to be slated for nomination for this honor.
Mr.. James Ingram's name has been spoken
of, but it is said that business affairs would
prevent his acceptance.
resolution of sympathy with Rev DIR.
j. b. Stitt, former pastor of Fayette
Street Church. who is i'll at his home in
Hagerstown, was presented by Revs. j.
Wright and j. st. Clair Neal and was
adopted by a rising vote BY the conference.
Resolutions of sympathy with Revs. Gill
and LETTERS, who are detained at their
homes by illness of members of their fami-
lies were also adopted.
The request of Rev. William G. Cassard
made through Presiding Elder Naylor, that
his relations with the conference be dis
solved, in consequence of his Intention to
unite with the Protestant Episcopal Church,
was acted upon and granted without dis
cuSSiOn.
Makes a Strong Plea
A strong plea for the adequate support of
the ministry was made by Presiding Elder
James H. France in his report of the East
Baltimore district
In conscientious performance of duty and
in sacrifices willingly made, he said the
spirit of the fathers is still apparent in the
church, but what is needed is for the church
to magnify the Office of her ministry. 1t is
gratifying to note, he continued, that quite
a number of the churches have increased
the salaries of their pastors during the
year, and the East Baltimore district he
added, has maintained it's splendid record
for payment in full.
Must Pinch to Provide.
'"Too often" he said '.in ministerial work
the salaries paid are not commensurate
with the demands made and are in no way
commensurate with the talents of the men
employed.
The fact that they must pinch at every
point to provide for.the imperative neces-
sites OF their families, that they are barred
from any successful effort to lay by a sma
Tor the eduoati of their children and the
needs of old age should aruuse a long
siumbering sense of justices The def
cheney in ministerial support in the last
ten years has been sos 600 In these DAYS.
when we hear so much of the rights of
men, plead for the right of every preacher
for adequate support. The efficiency of the
preacher would be greatly AUGMENTED and
his comfort promoted if he could receive his
salary regularly. That man VIII do his best
" wo Tx IN tine the pulpit or out of il whose mind
is Tree from financial worry. VIII the day
ever come when we shall be allowed to quit
serving tables and devote all our time tn
the one purpose for which we are called-to
preach the Gospel and save mem
Applicants for Ministry Scarce.
The scarcity of applicants for admission
TO the ministry was deplored by DR.. France.
who in continuing his report said that II
was matter of regret that there were no
applicants from the eastern district. That
the church itself was responsible to a. GER
tain extent for the disinclination Of vonne>
men me- 70 enter the ministry today, he said,
ne Ieit nrmly convinced. "If this old CON
terence is to maintain her prestige then she
must DO all in her power to attract yonne
men or choice spirit to her doers and once
aoHiliteo IL Is to be an honorable ambition
10 achleVe the highest success There sba n
De no barriers erected saving "rhns CO..
smart thou come-no farther but from the
humbiest pulpit to the most infiuential tbera
snail be an open path for all
Concerning the spiritual life ri the chu,,o,
Dr. france SAID that church 2memharshi,,
does not have the high place 10 which If IL
entitled and that men are making a dis
o,nG.ion pe.ween joining the church and rec
os iizins Jesus Christ. He expressed the he
hef that church membership should lave
commercial value as well as q sp,rituaI
one and that the highest certificate to q
MAJ, raan nonesIy truthfulness and upright
ness ougnt TO be his name on the churcb's
record. II IS not SO much afreviyal in the
way OF additions as to the iridividuality Of
those we have that is needed. 3 he added.
Delegates to General Conference.
AS stated in last evenings Star. the
election OF delegates to the general confer
ence, to be held in Los Angeles, Cal. in
May, was made the special order of the dav
FOR tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock. SIX
ministerial delegates are to be elected and
six laymen. The latter are to be chosen
at conference of the lay delegates to be
held In the church at the same time.
Among those mentioned as the prota ble
delegates are Rev. c. Herbert Richardson
presiding elder of the Baltimore district:
Rev. John F. Goucher, president Of the
Woman's College; Rev Luther B. wilson
of the Washington district. Rev. = n
Heisse. pastor of Fayette Street Church.
Rev. Frank NJ Bristol of MetropoIftar,
Church, Washington; Rev. Nj F. 3. Rice
pastor of West Baltiraore station. and Rev.
]. c. Nicholson. Rev. VIC Herbert has
also been mentioned as possible delegate.
1t was unofffciafly announfea that Rev.
J. H. March Of Harper's Fetuy will retire
this year.
It was stated that Rev JdReph 3. slit
who was superannuated yesf ago is seri-
ousiy Ill at his home In Hager1town, Md.
Reports of Presiding Elders.
The reports OF three Of the presiding
elders were read. That OF Rev. c. Herbert
Richardson. presiding elder Of the Balti-