Evening journal., 1923-01-11
DIR. WATTS IMPENDING RETIREMENT

~ ELAwAREANs have heard with regret OF the pur-
- pose Of the Rev. Dr. Robert Watt, for many years
superintendent OF wilmington district Of the VIII
nington Methodist Episcopal Conference. to retire
from the ministry for at least at the close
OF the present year in March It will seem
strange indeed, the people of our city state and
Peninsula not have him moving about in their midst
as a preacher and as ar administrator.
Dr. Watt is a native OF Ireland. He emigrated 20
this country in spent his early days in Cohoes
New York He educated in the common schools
and then took special OF four in historic
Iansingburg, near Troy n. Y. Following that he took
The full course Drew Theological Seminary and was
graduated therefrom in 1885 In that year. Dr.
Watt united with the wilmington Conference.
His first appointment in historic Princess Anne.
Maryland county seat Somerset county. He served
the full threeyear term there and then served sue
eessively Snow Hin. Nd. Milford, Del. Scott Church
wilminston, and LAUREL Del.
In 1898 Bishop sohn P. Newman appointed Or. Watt
presiding elder OF wilmington district. After full
term he was appointed pastor Of Asbury Church
Smyrna. In 1910 Bishop John w Hamilton appointed
Dr. Watt superintendent Easton district. After six
years in that district, Bishop Joseph F. Berry ap-
pointed him superintendent Of the Wilmington district
where he has served years. He is now in the
thity-eighth year OF his ministry and the nineteenth
year Of his present Office
In 1896 the honorary degree OF Doctor OF Divinity
was conferred upon DR.. Watt by Washington College
1t frequently said OF him by bishops and other
high officials that he one OF the most successful
superintendents in the denomination. He has large
acquaintance the leaders OF his and other de-
nominations. Dr. Watt took a very active part in the
Red Cross drives the Liberty Loan drives during
The
in taking what is known Sabbatc year. DR..
Waits plans are not matured, but the late fall he
probably will do literary work and assist churches
,n Special occasions.
His interest and work for the moral and civic well
fare Of our city has been intense. The Warden
Plunmer gave much credit for his interest in
the parole bill.
All who know DR.. Watt know how catholic have
been his eympathes He has been bound by special
creed fellowship with all who seek to make it easier
for men to do right and harder for them do wrong
His relations with the newspaper men OF the Del
narvia Peninsula unusually cordial for many
years Members Of the Third Estate always have looked
upon him as one Of the best and most reliable
sources of ecclesiastical information on the Peninsula
He also has contributed many timely. pointed and ef
fective articles to newspapers Delaware and the
Eastern Shore of Maryland.
A Wilmington Conference session without DR. Watt
present TO leading part and stir things up will
seem rather strange to Peninsula Methodsts the
public at large will wish him well during his long
vacation period he been the best sense
a preacher among preachers and a man among men
a red -biooded missionary preaching red-booded
ligion to red-booded men,