Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-13

Providing pastorates for Rev. Charles
$ Baker ID. D., and Rev. Wilbur f.
Corkran. d. d., is the hardest problem
10 be solved by Bishop Charles c. McCabe
~ the 3Sth session OF the Wilmington
Annual Conference of the Methodist
Lniscopal Church, which will convene
At Pocomoke City, Md, tomorrow. 1t
i a difficult problem, and a week will
probably be required to solve it, In
reaching the solution the Bishop will be
assisted by Revs. w. G. Rooms, 5. NJ.
Morgan. A. S. Mowbray, ID. D., and Adam
Stengle, presiding elders, who will com
prse his cabinet. In March, 1905. Drs.
Baker and Corkran were found guilty of
unministerial conduct and DIR. Baker was
deposed and Dr. Corkran suspended for
one year. DR.. Baker appealed, and three
months later judicial conference changed
his sentence to a years suspension. Now,
the question is being asked does his
sentence expire tomorrow, when DR.. Cork
ran sentence will expire, OF in June, one
wear from the time DR.. Baker sentence
was changed. 1t is limited that the ques-
ton may be broached in conference, but.
unless there is a disposition to attempt
10 keep Dr. Baker out of the pastorate,
many Methodists believe that the techni-
cality will be waived, as it would further
Complcate matters. Drs. Baker and
Corkran have signi6ed their intention of
being present at the conference session,
but they have not divulged their plans.
Il is believed that they will willingly take
any pastorates within the bounds Of Viii
mington Conference that Bishop McCabe
may offer them. No charges have given
them pastoral invitations, but their friends
say either would be acceptable to Fair
mount or Lawsonia, Nd These charges,
however, have invited their pastors to
return and they have accepted, and this
programme is likely to be carried out,
unless the work of adjustment neces-
states a change. Transferring Drs. Baker
and Corkran to other conferences seems
the easiest way out OF the dilemma but
their friends intimate that they would
protest against this plan. This, too, would
be difficult, as Drs. Baker and Corkran
have no standing in the Wilmington Con-
ference and could offer nothing to the
ministers coming here in exchange As
yet no one has the slightest idea where
Drs. Baker and Corkran will 20. IL is
widely believed, however, that il they
remain in the Wilmington Conference they
will be given minor appointments, as
assigning them to charges in a high grade
would make necessary the dispossessing
OF pastors to make places for them, and
this would be regarded as an injustice
10 the present incumbents. Rev J. L.
Gallagher S transfer to the Philadelphia
Conference, Rev. Aloycius Green with
drawal from the ministry, Rev. w. J.. S.
Murray S removal from St. Paul S Church
to Washington Heights and Rev Henry
). Thompson S prospective retirement
and two other possible retirements may
relieve the situation somewhat.
Ernest Gillespie, a local preacher at
Harrison Street Church, has consented to
serve Elsmere Church as supply and
will apply for admission to the conference
in 1907.
Bishop Berry, president of the Virginia
Conference, approves the plan to divide
the Alexandria district Of that conference
and will appoint pastors for Norfolk,
Newport News and Old Point Comfort
and transfer the charges and pastors TO the
Salisbury district Of the Wilmington Con-
ference subject to the approval of Bishop
McCabe.
Chestnut Grove and Willis Chapel
have been added to the Dover district
during the past year. JohnRosseri is serving
the former, and R. S. Stephens is IN charge
OF the latter.
As usual, there will be a missionary
sermon on the eve of the conference
session. Rev. c. T. Wyatt, d. D., of this
city will be the preacher tonight, and
"Our Debt to the Heather World" viii
be his subject.