Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-04-05

Baltimore, Md, April 5-The
Maryland Annual Conference Of the
Methodist Protestant Church assem-
blod In annual session yesterday in
West Baltimore Church, Baltimore.
Surprise was occasioned by the intro
duction Of resolution to limit the
term Of the president OF the conference
TO three years, instead of five. which
latter is the present time limit.
Rev. G.. O. Bacchus. Of Broadway
Church, Baltimore. presented the reso-
luton. Immediately there was "a gen
eral clamor for the privilege Of the
floor, several ministers proposing
amendments from one up TO four years.
as the limit. The entire matter was
finally laid upon tho table. and it is
doubted If 10 will be taken up again
this session There seems 10 be a
feeling among many of the ministers,
and the laymen, too, that five years is
too long term for the presiding officer
and 10 Will not be many years, possibly
only one year, before the conference
decides TO mako change. Even though
the resolution had been adopted, the
incumbent, Rev Frank T. Little,
would not have been in any wise affect
ed. just previous to the introduction
Of the resolution Mr.. Little was re-
elected for the fifth term 10 the presi-
dency by a vote Of Id His efficient
work and constant lahors for the good
Of the church and its membership was
a sufficient guarantee TO the conference
of Mr. Little's fitness for the place.
Rev. W. h. Graham OF Easton, Md,
received 40 votes for the presidency.
Others who were remembered in the
voting were Rows. j. M. Gill, F. n.
Tagg j. III. S. Ewell, j. M. Holmes
and ) NJ Sheridan.
Another question which will prob
ably develop some interesting debates
at the present session will be that of
the proposed union OF the Methodist
Protestant denomination with the
Cougregationalist and United Brethren
denominations. The matter will be
brought before the conference by Rev.
DIR. Lewis, president of Western Mary
land College who will submit report
today regarding the deliberations Of
committees of the three denominations
held in Dayton, o., last February.
This report will contain the declara-
tion of faith of the union and the
policy of the churches adopted by the
committees, but which are not elfec-
tive until they have been acted on by
the general and the annual bodies Of
the three denominations. DIR. Lewis
attended the committee meeting in
Dayton as n commissioner from the
Maryland Conference, and his report
will in no wise commit the body
as to its stand in the matter.
The report will contain no re-
Communications whatsoever, but leaves
q 4
at large. The report tersely deals with
what effect the proposed plan of union
would have upon the present organi-
zation of the Methodist Protestant
| Church
President Little's annual address to
/ the Conference was one Of the features
of yesterdays session, and dealt gen.
| orally with the excellent work which
| has been accomplished i'm the Mary
| land district during the past year. In
the midst of his report he stated that
1t was imperative that the quarterly
conferences, the various committees of
| examination and the officers and teach
crs OF the Westminster Theological
Seminary should guard diligently
| against the entrance of unworthy men
into the ministry. lie also alluded ia
the splendid position which Western
Maryland College holds among the
educational institutions of the coun
try. The Theological Seminary and
the Church Home at Westminster.
Md, also came in for share Of the
complimentary expressions. The ad-
dress mentioned the five ministers who
have died during the year Rev. j. j.
Murray, w. s. Hammond, w. A.
Grouse, G.. ID. Edmonston and David
Wilson. During the year among the
changes in relations were the follow.
ing; Rev. T.. H. Nelson, resigned
Rev. A, n. Ward loaned to the Wash.
ington State Conference; Rev. II. l..
Shipley, appointed to North Caroline
Avenue Church, i'm Washington, ID.
G. b.. Rev. >. l.. Nichols, withdrew
from the Conference in order TO e,
South with his nnllictnd wifn. ReN. a