Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1902 — A New Presiding Elder Needed. [ARTICLE]

A New Presiding Elder Needed.

t The retirement of. Dr. Beck, as presiding elder of the Valparaiso district of the M. E. church, from having served as long as the rules of the church will permit, makes the question of the selection of a new presiding elder, at the approaching annual conference, one of much interest, and not alone in Methodist circles. The appointment is wholly in the hands of the presiding bisuop although the advice of the other presiding elders of the conference has great weight in influencing; bis decision. Quite a number of prominent ministers havd been mentioned as likely to be selected. One of these especially is Rev. D. M. Wood, now of South Bend. If the bishop decides to appoint one of the older ministers, and who have already served as presiding elders, in other districts, the appointment will undoubtedly go to Mr. Wood. If the bishop, however, concludes to appoint a younger and more active map, apd one who has never served as presiding elder, there are quite a number talked up, but none more prominently perhaps than Rev. C. D. Royse, pastor of the church here. Should this honor come to him the members of his flock, and the community in general, will feel that it has been very fittingly bestowed. At the same time, however, the feeling will be just as universal that Mr. Royse would have been a wholly available man to re-appoint for another year to the pastorate of the church here.