Evening journal., 1915-03-02
NJ. ?. Conference
TO Meet APRIL [
Secretaries Bryan and Dan
ielS Are TO Address
Clergymen
PRESIDENT WILSON
ALSO Is ASKED

Thousands OF Methodist Protcstants
on the Peninsula arc LOCKING forward
with interest to the coming gcs ion OF
the Maryland Annual Conference OF
that denomination, which convones ia
Rhode Island Avenue Methodist Pro-
tcsiant Church, Washington. ID. G.. on
April Z. On account of the central
location Of this church il is expected
that the attendance at this years scs-
sions will be unusually largo anu. al
though the church itself is one of the
largest in the Conference district, ar
rangemcnts are being made for over
flow meetings This is generally the
case at the night meetings, when vis-
itors turn out to hear the addresses
and the fine music rendered by the
Conference choir.
The Rev. Louis Randall. who IS pas
tor of the Conference Church, has
been at Rhode Island Avenue for two
years. having gone there from Cris-
field. Md. when he and the Rev.
Frank T. Benson exchanged places.
The Rev. Mr. Randall is one of the
leading ministers of the Methodist
Protestant Church, and the charge in
Washington which he now serves is
considered one of the most important.
Word has been received from him that
the Conference program will be ready
by the middle of March
L.. ..Ia Itn In
bers of visitors who have applied to
him and his entertainment committee
for accommodations during Confer
ence week warns him that the attend
ance will be larger than usual this
year. and he is busy preparing to
properly house and church them.
He also states that joint commit
tee. composed of himself. as chairman
and spokesman. and the Revs. j. W.
Balderston, Of the Georgetown Cd.
c. Church, and h. A. SeXsmith. of the
North Carolina Avenue Church. re-
Gently waited on President Wilson.
asking him to address the Conference
one evening during the week of April
7-14. The President did not give pos
itive assurance that he would do so,
hut received the delegation cordially,
and promised TO answer later Secre-
tarv of the Navy Josephus Daniels
promised to deliver an address on
Friday evening OF Conference week
and Secretary of State Bryan also
promised to address them one even
ing.
The Rev. Or. John S. Bowers, who
has served as president of the Confer
ence for the last three years, will like
~ he reelected. as he is very popu.
lar with the ministers and laymen anC
is considered an efficient presiding Of
ficer The same difficulty which ha'
arisen for several years past, that o
supplying all of tho charges with min
istcrial timber. will confront the pres
idont. One. and probably two of th'
younger ministers of the Conference
will not be available when the ap
pointmcnts arc made up this year
The Rov. Charles H. glderdice leaves
the fredericksburg charge this wcei
and goes 10 the Second Methods
Protestant Church in Pittsburgh.
The Rev James H. Straughn pas
tor of the church at Laurel. Del, hai
been offered the socrotaryship Of tn
Board of Young Peoples Work Of thi
Maryland Annual Conference, and I
is considered likely that he will ac
cept He has the matter under con
sideration. and the Rev Or G. w
Haddaway, pastor of Starr Methods
Protestant Church. who is presiden
of the board. expects his decision thi
week The class of young minister
coming from the Theological Semin
airy at Westminster Md. is small thi
year.
The question of a shortage Of min
listers is likely to be one of mos
important issues at the Conference
The matter of union with the Unitet
Brethren is now dormant until tn
next session of the General Confer
| nncn Mhich mnaIs next Noar.