Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-30

VIRGINIA ANNUAL .CoNTRRKNcE IN ALExAN.
DRIA-SeesHh day, Wednesday. During the
examinations Of character for admission on trial,
the case of Geo. :. May came up. He was recon-
mendsd by the Quarterly Conference of Taylor's
Island station. An Englishman, who came 10
this region at the request OF membefs Of the
Methodist Protestant Church, be travelled In con-
bly,, then left that church, Joined the Methodist
Episcopal Church, travelled In that connection for
while, and then, In consequen OF some con-
aection with slavery, Joined the Methodist EPis-
Rev. Mr.. Coulling thong bit that while Brother
May was an excellent man, yet as he was mar
rled man, II demanded a thought az to whether
tie Conference, already full OF married preachers,
would not embarrass Itself to increase the number,
without the candidate POSSESSES such ability as
would command q station able to support a mar
ried preacher
Rev. Mr.. Blount said that the previous history
OF the vascilatng ecclesiastical Of the
candidate had produced bad impression on the
Conference and led to his rejection last yeaf But
since then he had come to know him better, and
now recommended him warmly to the Confer
ence.
Mr.. Travis bore testimony to his ability and
acceptability as a minister.
Rev. Mr.. Coulling thought the question was
not the fitness Of Mr.. May, but the policy Of ad-
hitting married men at this time.
Rev. Mr.. Archer sustained the views Of Mr..
Coulling.
proposed. He thought that an ordained minister
on every circuit to administer the sacraments
would add largely to the church. A minister's
wife was helPmate In the ministry, not hind.
rance. III there was not a man on each circuit
who would board preachers wife when her hus.
band gave them the bread Of life, II was a shame,
He spoke at length, and with much effect.
Rev. Mr.. Cross said that Mr.. Smithson had
authorized him to say that what Mr.. May failed
to get Of 500 per annum he would make up.
Mr. Branch, Of Petersburg, clay delegate )-"If
he don't will "
The question was taken, and Nj. May admitted
into the travelling connection.
During long discussion on the affairs Of the
Richmond Christian Advocate, Rev. Mr.. Rosset
resigned his position as editor Of that paper
Eighth day, ThErSday.-During the examina-
ton Of characters, Bishop Payne took occasion to
speak as follows:
A few night since, after preaching in the
church. he was refreshed by deep slumber, and
aweking, did not sleep again, but lay in that
dreamy condition which intereenes between sic ep
and wakefulness. While SO lying. his mind re-
verted to solicitude for the churches, and his
Imagination framed vision. He thought Of a
village, such as many that exists-of varied popu-
lation. not yet settled 10 the homogenecusness Of
the Older Observation-Disclosures, clever, wicked
and hospitable. A preacher comes among them,
OF popular manners and effective pulpit ability,
draws a large auditory and is blessed with re-
vlvalj the church grows in numbers and spreads
Next year good pastar IL sent; his brother plant
ed, but he waters and the church increases; an
tons Then, as the cong reg alton has been placed
on arm foundation, comes popular preacher;
bis pulpit efforts engross the most of his attention.
he is admired for the graces he displays in the
pulpit; the people fatter hirn and welcome at the
tables Of the rich he finds little time to visit and
comfort the poor members Of his charge; the Sun
day school and the class meetings are neglected;
all the minute interests OF the congregation suffer
Meanwhile some portion Of the congregation
complimentary do not like the minister. Others
defend Tim, and the seeds Of a bitter feud are
sown In the bosom Of prosperous congregation.
Meanwhile the minister Of another denomination
comes along. He is without station, perhaps,
| and opens school 1t may be that he Is a poor
preacher-perhaps northern man with the feel
ings Of the community rather averse to him; he
is nevertheless stirring man, and good one
He nnds an opportunity TO open sunday school
and being always at his post-visitng the families
| Of his scholars, &c.-some people begin TO be
| attached to hin. Next year, when the popular
\ preacher goes to conference, one portion Of the
congregation favor his return, the others bitterly
| oppose 1t, and the bishop knows not what to do
| Unfortunately he is sent back. A secession a
once takes place, and the humble scho0l-teac Ing
minister who has occasionally been preaching a
l his school house becomes the nucleus Of a new
congregation; another church rises, and the ad
| vantage gained by the first occupation Of thu
the field Is in great part lost,-all from the wan
Of attention to pastoral care on the part Of tn,
preacher In charge. The bishop commended thu
| matter to the conference. II was not fireworl
oratory tearnest prayerful labor that sustained
and built up the church"
REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF GAs.-Our reader
will be glad to learn by the OH ial advertisement
In the STAY OF to-day, that the price Of gas useC
after the 3lst Of December, $780, will be only SO i
per thOuss nd feet to all prompt paying consumers
instead of B so as heretofore. This is very de
eided reduction, ('en per cent and our citizen
doubtless will properly appreciate It, AS the pub
| lie may not be aware Of the successive reduction
In the price OF gas since its first introduction h
this company into Washington in lSIS, we hav
IL 80
to all prompt paving consumers at the variou
dates, namely: In 1913, IS per thousand feet; J.
1850, sc 40; in 1852, a. in 1854, 80 So; In 1857
So so; in 1861, 50 Is With capital Of $50 oC
| actually and economically expended In the bust
| ness; with new works Of universally acknowl
edged superiority, and capable Of producin
$4,000 feet Of gas every tw.nty-four hours, an
| storing million with fifty miles Of street main
covering az with a net work all parts of the cit,
| and 50 laid as to admit OF any future extension
their business systematised and now thorough
understood, the com any have every facility an
motive for not only accommodating the public
their utmost requiem ent, but also for reducin
the price Of gas, from time to time, as the adoI
| ton Of every valuable improvement and the ii
creased consumption may justify. Thi. accom-
mediation and reduction we sincerely believe OF
| citizens may confidently rely on; and moreove
the Board Of Directors have publicly pledged Il
| Company TO furnish gas OF superior quality Q
I more reasonable terms than can be afforded othe
| wise.
IMPROVED TRAVELLING FACILITIEs.-Tl
| Washington, fredericksburg, and Richmon
, | Railway and Steamboat Companies are quiet
but steadily improving their transporting facilti
| In permanent and substantial manner. On Il
land portion Of the route the heavy T rail b
been substituted from Richmond TO poi ut with
4 three miles of Aqua Creek, but owing to Il
early approach Of winter operations have be-
= stopped until the opening of spring. Cars, 4
: day and night service, Of approved models a
! being constructed, and extensive improvement
! in their locomotive power projected, On Il
, water portion Of the route, viz: frou WashingtC
, | to AQUA Greek, large sums Of money have be-
: expended. The steamers Baltimore, Powhata
= and Mount Vernon have been thorough repair
= and several improvements added. The magni
: cent iron steamer Baltimore, which paid o
4 waters a transient visit last season, aud was
| lected by the Government las the most becomir
conveyance Of our distinguished visitors) to bril-
\ the japanese Embassy 10 the Federal Metropol
! has just been purchased and will in few da
: supercede the Mount Vernon in her daily servic
. under command of Capt ReynoldS, the well-tri
y and accommodating captain Of the present d
| beat. The Powhataa, under command Of Cal
4 Charles Mitchell, (whose name and services q
: too well known to require even a passing
!. mari, J viii perform the usual nightly service
n the river q
GREAr ArrRkcrIoN TONIGHT AT THE THE