The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-19


Word to the effect that this appoint
ment had been thrust on DR. Evans
was received this morning by Miss
Wright. his secretary, in the form OF
telegram reading as follows: "Ap-
pOintment changed at last moment
Am presiding elder, Oakland district
Notify ALL
On receipt of this telegram Miss
Wright notified several of the promi-
nent members of the church and the
prise to all of them. Some six weeks
ago DIR. Evans and his wife started on a
SIX weeks vacation to California,
where they enad labored in the Metho-
dist fields prior to their coming to To-
peka and they were expected home on
Thursday or Friday of this week. as
DR.. Evans had planned to preach his
opening fall sermon on Sunday next.
1t is probable that DR.. Evans will not
return to the city, but will take up his
new work at once, although nothing
in this regard has been heard from
him. This is the opinion. however, of
OF the finance committee of the church.
and to whom Miss Wright turned over
the telegram she received this morn
ing.
During the last ten days the annual
conference of the Methodists along the
Pacific coast has been in session and
1t was known that DIR. Evans had plan
ned to attend this conference as a
visitor.
TT is evident that this conference, -
said ME-. Clarkson today. decided that
DIR. Evans was the one man to reor-
ganize the congregations in the de-
vastated city of San Francisco and in
surrounding localities where much Of
our church property was destroyed by
the earthquake and fire and that he
was the one man to gather together
our congregations which have been
scattered, and the conference drafted
h hi IL A r rnr-1-
Evans had planned to come home here
the last of this week, 1t occurs to me
that he may not come back at all. His
new work will demand immediate at
tention as it is colossal in its extent.
His appointment to this new position
comes as a distinct surprise to all Of US
here in Topeka and will be received
with personal regret by every one in
the congregation and a great many
others in Topeka as WELL but what will
be a loss to Topeka will be a gain to
San Francisco
Other of the prominent Methodists in
the city who are identified with the First
church expressed the same surprise when
they were informed that DR.. Evans had
been designated as presiding elder of
the Oakland district and they all ex-
pressed regret that he has had to re-
linquish his work here in Topeka, but
they find solace in the fact that he mas
been called to a greater work for the
Because of the suddenness and unex-
pectedness of the news that DR.. Evans
has severed his connection with the
First church there has been no oppor-
tunity for the lay officials of the church
to get together and take steps to secure
q successor to DR.. Evans. AS a matter
Of fact the appointment of his successor,
under the rules of the Methodist church,
lies with Bishop Henry Spellmeyer. OF
Cincinnati, Ohio who IS the presiding
bishop of the Kansas conference of the
Methodist church If the members OF
the congregation should agree on some
man in the Methodist ministry whola
they would like to have as a successor
to Dr. Evans it is likely on their recon-
meadation Bishop Epellneyer would ap-
point him. but the matter rests solely at
the discretion of Bishop Spellmeyer and
at this time there is not the slightest
inkling as to whom Bishop Spellmeyer
will name to fill the pulpit made vacant
by the promotion of DR. Evans.
DR.. Evans came to the First Metho-
dist church here from San Jose. CAL, in
/ November two years ago and has met
with great success in his church work
here. When he took up the duties OF
pastor of the church its membership was
1,154 and his last report on the mem
bership shows that It had been increased
| by nearly two hundred, to 1852 He has
been especially active in building up the
various societies connected with the
church. But he has not confined his al
tentions solely to his church work. He
has taken an active part in the public
affairs of the city and was prominent
1 in the councils OF the ministerial union
/ of the city He was q vigorous fighter
/ for civic courage and civic honesty tn
I municipal. county and state affairs and
never hesftated TO step from the pulpit