The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-09
BISHOP BEGINS
LIST OF CHANGES
First Session Of Methodist Cabi-
net Held at Richmond
Hotel.
CONFERENCE OPENS TO-DAY
Many Important Church Matters
to Be Discussed This
Week.

The parlors of Centenary Methods
Church were tlrosged all day yester'
day and last night with delegates here
In attendance on the t2Stli annual con-
ference, the enrolment including the
greater part of the Methodist churches
in Virginia and some In Maryland. The
conference will open this morning a,
70 o'clock with communion and brief
address from Bishop Alpheus W. VIII
son, of Baltimore, who VIII presloe
over the daily sessions of the confer
ence for the next week.
Committees OF conference met tc
/ perfect reports yesterday afternoon.
and last night there was an extended
examination of candidates for the
Methodist ministry, held under the
charge of special committees in Broad
Street Methodist Church. In the
church parlors at Centenary. where the
incoming ministers and lay delegates
assembled to shake hands and renew
acquaintanceship and talk over the
work OF the coming conference, there
was the usual political undercurrent
and gossip OF probable changes, all
Of which is, however. necessarily tent
alive at this time.
bishops Cabinet Meets
IoISuOp NllSOH Ilelu liIt h'Ss
of his cabinet at the Richmond Hotel
yesterday afternoon The cabinet Is
made up of the eleven presiding elders
In this conference, and advises with
the bishop in regard to the conference
assignments for the coming year.
While In practice the bishop Is largely
guided by its advice. in the church law
he does not have to take 1t, and may
change his lists even after the last
meeting of the cabinet. the announce
ment of the list of assignments being
the last item of business before the
conference. Under the plan, there
fore, the business works up to ell
max. and interest grows more ana
more intense each day
While there is always more or less
unrest and undercurrent OF discussion
over possible changes until the iist Is
finally announced, yet 1t is admitted
that, comparatively speaking. there
will be few changes this year. ms
is not the "change year" for the larger
fpulpits, and those who are ambitious
for advancement are hoping that they
will not be transferred this year. as
next year, when the larger pulpits be-
come vacant. there will be greater op'
portunities for men of ability.
Few Changes Here.
In Richmond pulpits the only ono
which must change by METHODIST
church law is that of Trinity Church.
where Rev. w. r. Proctor has served
for the full four years. By mutuaf
consent and to heal an old dispute
arising over the appointments made
by Bishop Morrison last year, and later
changed after the original announce
ment. Rev. r. NJ. Chandler will leave
CLAW Street Church. There are no
charges against Mr.. Chandler, and II may
even be that he will be advanced 10
presiding eldership, but the effort
of the church to retain it's old pastor
last wear led to an embarrassing stu
alton, which both Mr.. Chandler ana no
the stewards of the church agree VIII
no hest healed by change of assign
ment,
Something of a precenference SEN
sation has been created by the address
of Rev. william w. Lear, OF the berke-
ley Avenue Church, Norfolk, who iast
Sunday night took occasion to accuse
his congregation and stewards OF 1ali-
ing to give him proper support IN
carrying on the work OF the cnurcn
There is a peculiar significance through
the fact that DR.. Lear Is admittedly
one of the strong men OF the con-
ference. and has been presiding
elder. There may be some aftermath
when the church is called on to re-
port. as the conference may wish 70
know in what respect the congregation
has failed to support the pastor IN
his work