The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-05

for that, or value IT rs ag inst ATS blessed
Church The better class Of the southern peo-
pie were friendly disposed; he believed that
thatcisss wolld somed rise up and call US
periA1ce spoke of the persecution OF Union
men W ho had been driven In caves, &C., but
said they would die for the u church. Inc
speaker wanted all the chur, ;hes tnen there
would be none to modest or make us AFRAID.
He wanted little Inv as well. as gospel In his
district, and he had reason to, believe thatwe
would soon get II. fThe last remark was
greeted with !, hearty 9 aInens.l ~, n.no-o,
Stonemanwas notin fault.
R.av Mr.. MILBURN, of t'ae Abingdon dis
srict, Chattanooga Conferen,,s, said he was
batting for the Lord amidst. much persecu-
ton, and threats but no violence. Had had
numerous accessions 70 the Church. Had met
with much opposition tH the Cabell crcuit,
where the church doors were closed against
him In his section all sne properly r1 wa, was
class possessing rs muck as 20 900 acres Of
land. They said to bin, " You can't stay
here The Union people there were very
poor, and were Goppresssd oy tnetr, riener
new TO nav their preachers. He was seventy
two years DID, and had during the war, as q
Federal scout often slept in caves to avoid the
rebels. The cry ofInegEo equality had kept
! The hymn, ION, for a Faith, was sung:
with great uuction, followed by prayer by
Rev. Mr Ives who asked that the whole Of
zhs State, which had lain so long In moral
darkness, might be happily brought into the
fold of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev, Mr.. HEMENWAY, of the Richmond
district, said when he first arrived In MS neld
of labor he found the prospects DARK, ana the
chance of doing anything small. he mad met
a congregation of twelve for over two months
in q private house, but had afterwards man
aged to obtain q more suitable edince. ne nao
also spent some time North, trying 10 raise
| snt,,,,
with some encouragement he then opened
with a membership of. eighteen, Which, by
Gods blessing, had been increased 20 htty-
two. There was now 4 fa1r prospect OF Dulio-
ing up the Church there. His district con-
tained q large number Of northern people
who had no church priyileges-there was no
social determination between 1hem anc the
old inhabitants. While those alluded to be-
Ionged to various churches they had AIDED
him in attempting to raise the Gospel banner.
With Gods blessing he hoped they would in
few years be enabled to place the Methodist
Episcopal Church OIL firm and enduring
foundation there.
Rev. JAMES MITCHELL, of the Tidewa.
ter district, said the territory Confided to his
care embraced an area of land 400 miles long
by 200 broad. He had an inhospitable popu-
lation 10 labor amongst, though the feeling
against the preachers of his Church was sub
siding. He had no fear of personal violence,
though one church had been burned. The feel
ing that induced that act might have melted
the iClOlS III IL 10 NC aCe
alluded TO had caused much fear and timidity,
but the latter feeling was wearing away, and
the ministers were taking boider ground. The
Church increased eighty per cent. He labored
in the lowlands-in a section formerly rife
with rebeIlious feeling, but was hopeful new
erthcless.
Rev. T. II. HAYNES, of the Portsmouth
district, said matters were improving there.
Two years ago, when he took charge, the
church numbered 20 members and 10 Sunday
school scholars. Now there were 70 mem bers
and 200 scholars. Things were improving. he
had organized n colorcd class eight miles from
the city, which was in q flourishng condition.
Two local preachers, besides others, were aid
ing in the good work. Nothing was wanting
towards success but suitable church ediilce.
temperance hall fitted up TO resemble church
as much possible. His people wanted
church, and had purchased 4 lot to build
one on.
Rev Mr.. WILLIAMS, of the Norfolk dis
trict, said his people formerly worshipped in
the United States courtroom, but had now
built q church SO by so feet, costing $4,000
He spoke hopefully OF the prospects of Nor
folk-the place was growing. real estate was
advancing in price garden spots were III de-
Inand and the raising of fruits and garden
stuFs was pursued with remunerating re-
suits There were very few Methodist Epis-
copalians there. His own congregation was
made up OF mem hers of other churches, and
embraced 80 mem berS and ll6 Sunday school
scholars; all of whom, together with persons
of all shades OF color and diverse political
aAiuilies, had contriCu ted to build the church.
A OF them seemed 10 recogZnie the necessity
Of its existence.