Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-03-28
Baltimore Annual Conference.

The Baltimore Conference. Nj. e.
Church South. convened in Winchester
last Wednesday. In the absence OF
Bishop Wilson. who was taken sick,
Bishop w. w. Duncan, Of South Caro-
lima. presided.
On Thursday the Bishop presented the
nestor Of the conference, Rev. William
G. Eggleston, of Middletown, who is over
90 years old. He had not been able to
attend an annual conference for eight or
nine years, but. although very feeble, the
venerable clergyman left his home to
mingle with his brethren. for what he
said would probably be the last time
The conference sang How Firm Fcun-
dation = and rose in honor of the aged
preacher.
Rev. Henry p Hamill. presiding elder
of Winchester district. reported slight
increase in salary and increase in con-
ference collections. One church dedica-
ted. he reported. old debts paid. parson-
ages improved and $1,000 Sunday
School house built. Reyivals have oc-
cured all over the district. notably 200
conversions at Brucetown by Rev. Buc-
hanon. The increase in membership OF
the district is 328.
The case of Rev. Claude NJ. Hesser. of
Taylor's, Md, which has been before
Bishop Wilson. was disposed of Saturday
| by Bishop Duncan. Mr.. Hesser was to
rendered necessary the postponement of
his ordination till next Conference. Mr..
Hesser made a fiattering report of the
church at Taylor's. The sum of $3.50
had been raised during the year, and
the membership had increased "a. The
pastors salary had been overpaid.
| A sensation was caused in Conference
on Friday by the presentation of charges
accusing Rev. John O. Knott of with
holding certain statements in reference
to the purchase of windows for the new
church at Salem while he was pastor at
that place. He is said to have been given
a percentage by Washington firm for
securing for it the order for the windows
While he could have kept the money. II
is said he turned it into conference col.
lections. A trial committee composed OF
some of the very best ministers of the
Conference was appointed by Bishop
Duncan. as follows Revs. E. v. Reyes
ter, B. F. Ball. J. R Van Horne. w. o.
Ross. Thos. Cooper. l. H. Boyd. D. F.
Eutsler, w. l.. Dolly. R. l.. Fultz and
p. Stump, secretary. Rev. ]. S. Hutch
inson was designated as prosecutor. AT.
ter full and careful consideration of the
matter tor two days, the committee made
a report this morning recommending
that the charges be dismissed. The re-
port was approved and Mr.. Knott is re.
turned to the church at Lexington. Va.
where he has been most popular pastor
for the past year. Mr.. Knott was for
mer Jefferson county boy, and has host
of friends here at his old home who felt a
deep interest in the outcome of this mat.
ter. He has by indomitable energy and
fervent zeal in the Masters cause risen to
a prominent and honorable position
in the Baltimore Conference. and the
people of Jefferson county will be espec.
tally pleased to learn, as they felt sure
they would that his skirts are cleared
and he is returned to one of the best
charges in the Conference.
Invitations were extended from both
Charles Town and Cumberland for the
meeting of the Conference next year, and
Cumberland was chosen by vote OF
81 to 65.
Rev. DIR. w. H. D. Harper is appointed
Presiding Elder of Winchester District,
and the appointments for Charles Town,
Jefferson Circuit and Shepherdstown are
the same as last year. Rev. II. C. Jones
is assigned to Bakerton and Halltown.