Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-04-03

Methodist Conference News.
A pathetic moment came in the Balti4
more Conference. M. E. Church South,
IN session at Cumberland. shortly before
adjournment at noon Wednesday. Rev.
DR., J. E. Armstrong, of Salem, Va,
presiding elder of the Roanoke district.
after making report of the work Of the
churches under his care, asked the con-
ference to relieve him of active work
after s. years of constant service. His
voice trembling with emotion, the vener-
able secretary told briefly OF his labors
in the conference. of his struggle against
hardships during the Civil War. when
the Methodist Church divided. and of the
decline of his health. which forced him
to take the step. He said that he hoped
that his physical strength would improve
andhad chung to his duties. but that sew
eral weeks since his physician said his
withdrawal from active service was i'm
perative. He declared that he would
devote next year to completing his his
tory Of the Baltimore Conference, on
which he has been at work for some time
This, he fondly hoped. would crown his
life of service in the conference. The
ministers seemed deeply affected by DIR.
Armstrong; withdrawal from the con-
ference, and Bishop Wilson offered a
brief but eloquent tribute OF worth to his
comrade. Bishop Wilson and DR.. Arm
strong entered the conference almost at
the same time. and the history OF their
work is entwlned with the history of
the Methodist Church in the South du-
ring the last half century. A motion
was made and adopted unanimously to-
the effect that the conference insure DR..
Armstrong against loss in publishing his
history of the conference.
Under the heading of young men re-
ceived on trial into travelling connec-
ton with the Conference, we note
Samuel r. Neel, of Collierstown, Va, to
enter Vanderbilt after graduating from
Washington and Lee University. Lexing-
ton, Va, this session.
Rev. c. M. Hesser was among those
ordained to elders orders.
The most affecting scene of the con-
ference occurred when Bishop Wilson,
whose locks have become hoary in tie
service of the conference, said farewell.
Shortly before adjournment at IL o'clock
Saturday Bishop Gambler, who has been
presiding in Bishop Wilson's ztead, arose
and in faltering tones presented the ven
cradle Bishop. The conference was evil
IDENTIFY taken by surprise and scarcely
realized what was to come. for the buzz
of subdued conversation did not cease at
once. When Bishop Wilson slowly rose
and began to speak. however, there was
perfect silence His voice, weak at first,
could not be heard half way back in the
auditorium, but as he progressed his
words gathered strength and everyone
heard easily all he said. He spoke for
only minute or two, saying that for
over half century he had served the
conference. Il am all yours, he said,
his eyes filling with tears. " and shall be
yours through life and DEATH There
were few dry eyes in the conference
when Bishop Wilson uttered a last
goodbye Bishop Gambler arose from
n r11a5f- aud
ceal his emotion turned and embraced
his venerable brother, While Bishop
Wilson is not suffering from any particu
lar ailment, he felt that further atten-
dance upon the conference meetings
would endanger his health, and so with
drew to gain strength for the meeting of
the General Conference.
Conference adjourned last night. The
appointments for Winchester District
are as follows:
w. H. D. Harper. Presiding Elder.
Winchester, D. H Kern; Frederick, c
L Potter Stephens City, William Stew
ems, Middlet ,wn, w S. Hammond;
Strasburg. w. l.. Smith; Woodstock, H
M Canter; Woodstock Mission. A. R.
McGaha and H c Bitner; Edenburg, T
G hewitt; Front Royal and Riverton, d
E Derry; Warren, N. N Hall; Linden, ]
M Kline; Page, w d Eye; White Post
H M, Stricken CIV A Lynch supply;
Berryville, J H Smith; Brucetown. c H .
Buchanan and c F. McCliniock; Mar
tinsburg, | w. Canter; Berkeley, l g.
Michael; Charles Town. ] T. Williams;
Jefferson, c. Sydenstricker, Shepherds
town, H, Stephens; Bakerton and Shan
nondale, T. c. Jones and r K. hewitt;
Professor in Vanderbilt University, J A.
Kern.
Among other appointments we note:
Mt. Vernon, Washington City, w.
Locke, Taylor's c NJ Hesser; Alexandra
c. d Bulla; Falls Church, ] l. Kibler.
Hamilton, F A Strother; Stanton. H P
Hamll; Waynesboro. B F Ball. Luray,
P Stump; Lexington. J. o Knott; Key
ser, A M Cackiey: Piedmont. H l. Hout;
Romney. w P Coe.
Conference will meet next year in
Stanton. Va.
Judge ID. Tucker Brooke, of Norfolk,
has announced his candidacy for repre-
sentative in Congress from his district.
in opposition to the incumbent Hon