Evening journal., 1913-03-26
Stan Correspondent.

CRISFIELD, Md, March 26.-ln
forty-fifth annual session, the Will
mington M. E. Conference met in I'M
manuel church this morning, with
Bishop Joseph F. Berry presiding. AS
the sunlight streamed cheerfully
through the beautiful art windows of
the new ediice of which Crisfield
Methodists have every reason to feel
proud, Bishop Berry and District SUI
perintendents E. l., Hoecker, Robert
Watt, r. X. Stephenson and George p.
Jones oficiated at a sacramental SER
vice, as a preliminary to the business
session. The church was well filed
for the opening session. nearly all the
ministers being present.
Some surprise was caused when
DR. Vaughan S. Collins, at the close
of the morning session, moved that
Conference go into executive session
at o'clock, which motion prevailed.
DR.. Collins declined to say what
would be considered behind closed
doors.
charges Against DIR. HOffecker.
One subject to be considered is
charges filed a month or more ago,
with Bishop Berry, by the Rev. j. T,
Prouse. against superintendent e. l..
Hoffecker, of the Wilmington district
Mr.. Prouse had been pastor at Clay
mont and Gordon Heights, but was re-
tired from those churches several
months ago by DR.. Hoffecker, follow
ing which Mr. Prouse, it was learned
laid the controversy before Bishop
Berry and asked for an investigation
of til circumstances. Conference will
take up the matter this afternoon.
Secretary for Ninth Year.
The Rev. w. A. Wise again was
elected Conference Secretary for the
ninth consecutive year and named as
his assistants the Revs. W. r. Now
bray, w. L. Greenfield and Luther e
Poole.
The Rev. II. A. G. westerheld was
elected statistical secretary for the
tenth year and named as his assist
ants, the Revs. j. H. Geoghegan, j. L
Johnson, J. A. Brewington. w. NJ. Nc.
Cam, G. r. Ellis, G. S. Thomas, w
e. Gumby, j. r. Bicking. w. II
Briggs, II. c. Shipley. /. S. Whitaker
l.. B. Morgan, A. w. Goodhand anc
II. B. Kelso.
The Rev. II. G. 8ndd was electe,
treasurer for tho eleventh year an,
named as his assistants: j. w. Pret
lyman. G. c. Williams. T. r. Vandyke
V. =. Hills, J. T. Richardson. e. B
Taylor c. T. Jones, o. E. Jones. B
i. Mcfarland.
Begin Work Early.
The Rev. J. Harry Wilson was made
Conference postmaster and confer
ence will meet daily from 7.30 to 1.
o'clock. Bishop Berry announced tha
he will conduct the devotions at 7.3l
o'clock each morning.
This will help you to get up" re
marked the Bishop in referring to thu
fact that in some conferences man.
preachers wait outside the churci
until the devotions are over.
The relations of the Rev. H.
Thompson and d. n. Willis wer
changed from effective to superannu
ate and OF the Rev. Raimond II. Lowi
from effective to supernumerary.
Want Lower Counties Kept Dry.
Conference got into a discussion
over a resolution offered by Distric
Superintendent Hoffecker, "Firml
and respectfully urging Governo
Miller TO sign the Hazel bill to pre-
vent the shipment of liquor into locs
option territory in Delaware and thu
strike blow against the lawlessnes
of the liquor traffic"
Another resolution offered by ID
Hoffecker urged Governor Miller {
veto the bill to tax brewers on tn
basis of the amount Of beer sol
rather than on the amount Of bee
brewed
The Rev. c. W. Prettyman objecte
TO the resolution.
"What have we to do with the rev
enues of the liquor traffic" he asked
Its not a moral question. We hav
not the right to put our fingers int
political questions
Stir Over Resolution.
The Rev. G. c. Williams of Laure
suggested that the words "frml
urge Governor Miller to sign tn
Hazel bill" be changed to "Earnestl
urge" Mr.. Williams said that froI
a recent experience he believed
would be wise to make such a chang
in dealing with the Governor. Thi
change was made
The Rev. w. G. Koons raised
question as to the expediency of US