The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-19
letter from CharlottesvilIe-sS
thing about the Conference.
of the Richmond Dispatch.

CORRESPONDENCE of the Richmond Dispatch.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA,
November II, 1868. !
The seyenty-third session of the Vir'
c;n;a Annual Conference Methodist Epis'
conol Church South will meet in this town
tomorrow. This ecclesiastical body number
about two hundred and twenty clerlcai aho
lay members, who represent church mem ,
bership of nearly or quite forty Thousand
The large majority of the preachers have
not yet arrived, only about fifty having as
vet reached the place. Large accesslons TO
the conference will no doubt be received
from the different trains tomorrow. The
nreachers who are here seem to be full OF
genial, cheerful, good humor, and their
smiling faces testify that true piety is by
no means incompatible with real happi-
ness. From the appearance Of their hats
boots, and clothes generally, we imagine
that the dealers in "gents' furnishing
goods" have recently done thriving bust
ness. In these times of dull trade and
financial pressure it is highly gratifying to
notice this fact. In addition to the testi-
mony that they bear to the pecun'ary pros
perity Of the storekeepers, the good clothes
of "the brethren conclusively show that
they (the preachers have been perfectly
fitted and s1tited by their late appointments.
The Conference will be presided over by
the Right Rev. William NJ. Wightman, d.
D., LID. Bishop Wightman is an accom-
plished scholar and devoted Christian gen
tleman, and has deservedly high reputa-
ton as an able pulpit orator as well as pro-
found tbeologian. We have no doubt that
his presidency will give entire satistnc-
,ion-at least, until he announces the ap-
pointrnents and disappointments.
Among the preachers already here we
note the venerable Bishop Early and Rev.
Drs. Edwards, Sledd, Rosser, and Head, Sc
well and fayorably known in Richmond.
Drs. Lee, Langhorne, Duncan, and Bennett
have not vet arrived. Rev. DR.. E. L. Wi
lev, president Of Emory and Henry College,
Holston Conference, and Rev. Dr5. MuDsey,
Bond, and Poisal, of Baltimore, are ex-
pected here tomorrow. The distinguished
DR.. Mursey is expected to preach in the
Methodist church Of this place on next Sum
day night. We learn that Rev. William e..
Starr, A. NJ, of the Virginia Conference, q
talented and popular young minister, will
be transferred 10 the DaltlmoTe SOuIercuCe,
and stationed in Baltimore as the assistant
of DR.. Munsey. He viii! be followed by the
prayers and good wishes of his former
ministerial associates.
The citizens generally of Charlottesville,
without respect to denomination, have
greeted the Conference with kind and
hearty welcome, and thrown open their
doors to entertain the preachers. We have
no fear that old Virginia hospitality will
not receive fitting illustration from them.
The pastors of the Baptist, Presbyterian,
and Disciples churches have kindly offer
ed their pulpits to the Conference A large
hearted reporter (such as the Dispatch en-
ploys) likes to chronicle such manifesto
tons of Christian courtesy and goodwill.
The readers of the Dispatch may expee'
full and faithful reports of the Conference
proceedings TO be furnished as promptly al
the mail facilities will permit. Should any
thing of sufficient Importance occur, IL WI
be telegraphed. plo' hNf''