The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-11
Many Changes Probable
In Pastoral Charges
Annual Session of Hoon Conference of M
Church, South, to Meet in Chatanooga-Cenenary Will
Have New Pastor and the District New Presiding
Eder-Bishop Denny to Preside

The annual gathering OF the Holster
conference of the Methodist Episcopa
cnurch' south. Is always an incident
In the history of Methodism and the
meeting this year which is 10 be held
in Highland Park church, Chattanooga
Is approaching with an unusual degree
OF interest because of the probable
large number or changes to be made in
the ranks OF the pastors and presiding
elders, who have served out their -four
years time limit
pr. yames A.. Burrow. editor OF the
Midland Methodist, and a resident OF
Shattspooga' VIII be reelected secre-
tary OF the conference, position he
has held for more than ten years with
much ability and efficiency.
The annual sessions OF the confer
eenees OF the great church are always
preacher or as they were won't TO
be called In the olden days--itinerants--
but TO the people generally. q confer
ence extends over a period Of week
and the annual event has become to
preachers, many of whom have spent
the year gone out in the rural distrists
far from the centers of population and
some OF their paths have been strewn
with anything but roses, and weeks
stay in the city is a relaxation and
pleasure to these noble men, who make
up the ranks of the Methodist timer
ancy., It is not only "a time OF vaca-
tlon but It is an opportunity, FOL. these
men to renew that brotherly friend
ship and fellowship which marks the
Methodist preacher
The. lives of these men are In
sense heroic? AS rule they are above
the average man in point of intelli-
gence and education and they could
succeed In the business or professional
world, where the accumulation of COM
forts and wealth counted the climax
OF success, yet they prefer to spend
IN h.
their fellowmen.. and thus following in
the percepts of their divine master
and brother. who while on earth set
the example of self-sacrifce by going
about doing good. Theirs is noble
life and there is no place to be found
where. the nobleness of man is ex-
emplihed to greater degree than at a
meeting of an annual conference. Here
they gather to tel their experience of
the past year and while some have
there Is ever present on their faces that
bright smile and evidence of a. con-
scientiousness of a duty performed,
and service done in His name.
Bishop Denny VIII Preside.
The conference. this year will be pre-
sided over by Bishop Collins Denny, one
of the brightest members of the Col
lege OF Bishops profound student and
an eloquent preacher. The bishop
conference with a brief discourse,
which has become noted throughout the
church as a choice gem of literature
and he is expected to adhere to this
custom during the session of Holston
conference.
Or. J. q. Ward.
The changes of six presiding elders
include DR.. j. B. Ward, of the Chat
tanooga district, who during his four
years here has won the love and affec-
ton OF not only the Methodist people
whom he has served so faithfully and
efficiently, but has endeared himself to
Chattanooga as one of the most useful
OF men and 1t is with a sense of regret
that the people contemplate his re-
moval from this section.
While 1t is true that the general con-
ference has abolished the four-year
time limit of a pastors service in one |
charge, the rule is not compulsory and |
hence is not universally observed. I'm |
der the provision revising this old time |
honored law of the church the general |
conference added a restriction, which |
makes 1t necessary for the church, the |
preacher Is serving and the presiding |
elder to request a continuance of his |
passionate beyond four years If desired. |
So far as now appears very few of the |
where a preacher has served |
out his four years have requested the |
bishop 10 return him and hence the as
is there will be an unusually |
large number of changes for the next |
year.
Four Years Service.
This new rule does not apply to pre- !