Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-03-03
Virginia Annual Conference Oh ihe
Nj. II. Church.

| Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
commenced in the Washington street NJ. Il.
Church, in this city, this morning at O'Clock
Bishop Ames presided, and opened the Con
ference by reading the l33d psalm and por
ton of the 5th chapter Matthew. The hymn
"And are we yet alive was sung, and alter
PRAYER by the Bishop, the Cobferere proceed
ed to business.
Thomas H. Haynes, Secretary, then called
tie roll, when the following ministers answered
to their names:
Thos H. Haynes, James Mitchell, John 5.
Briggs, Jas. w. Grant G. S. Williams, Elisha
p. Phelps, Charles King, E. W. Pierce, Jas.
S. B aver, Jobnsey Leef. George W. Carpen-
Milburne, II. j. Crowley, Samuel h. Rear,
and E. Ii. Prosser
Jas S. Boyer was chosen Assistant Secretary
of the Conference.
Rev. Mr.. Cushing, of the New Epgland
Conference, briefly addressed the Conference,
expressing the hope that Methodism would
advance and recover its lost ground.
Among the visiting brothers announced,
were Rev. Mcssrs. Beach and Rushmore, of
the New York Conference Rev Mr.. Aderley,
of the Tennessee Conference, and Mr..
French, prominent layman of the Brooklyn
Conference-all Of whom were greeted with
the right hand of fellowship, the Conference
rising for that purpose.
A proposition was made by hlr. Phelps that
theConference should hereafter meet at o clock
,oo;, l,,, ,,,J continue :, ooe.io, i;ll l. -,
Adjourn till 9 p. H., and continue in session
till clock On being rut TO vote the same
was adopted.
Ga motion, it was further resolved that
when Conference adjourns this morning, it I'd
iourn to meet on Friday at o clock The
gentleman submitting this motion said that
the members would doubtless wish to attend
the Inauguration. The Bishop observed that
the desire to be present on that occasion was
very natural, and he saw no harm in it,
On motion Of Rev. Mr.. King the Confer
ence proceeded to choose the usual committees.
A resolution was offered that the Bishop APP
point said committees, to which an amendment
was offered, which was adopted, empowering
the presiding elders present TO nominate the
members of the different committees uamed in
Mr.. King resolution.
Members Of the following committees were
then chosen in the manner indicated, viz:
Education IIemenway X ing and Cruuley
American Bible Society Conscr and vii
liams.
Missions The Presiding Elder Of The Dis
tlcs.
Pastoral Address Phelps, Mllburn and
Mitchell.
Sunday Schools and Tracts Kelrn Pierce
and Sykes
Publication of Minutes Boyer
Collection of Funds Hicks and WCnles7.
Postofice Hicks.
Public Worship Wheeler
Church Extension -llemcnway, Pierce and
Crumley
Conference Stewards King and Haynes.
An alIn,ion was made to Father Griffith in
connection with superanuated preachers, show
ing that that venerable man of God had strong
hold on the affections of his younger brethren
in the ministry.
The President sal Conference would now
proceed to an examination Of the character Of
effective elders in the firgDia District under
the 18th question.
Rev. James Mitchell, Of the Tidewater Dis
trct said the territory confded to his care en-
braced an arrear OF land 400 miles long by 200
bread He had an inhospilable population to
labor amongst, though the feeling against the
preachers of his church was subsidlng. lie
had no fear OF personal violence, though one
church had been burned. The feeling that in
duced that act might have melted the actors in
it to additional violence The act alluded to
had caused much fear aud timidity, but the
latter feeling was wearing away, and the min
listers were taking holder glound. The church
increased 80 per cent. The cry from the High
lands was give us more ministers - lie la
bored in the Lowands-in q section formerly
rife with rebellious feeling, but was hopeful
nevertheless.
Rev. Mr.. Hemenway, Of the Richmond Dis,
trict, handed III missionary COLLECTION or ST..
He said when he first arrived in his field OF
labor he found the prospects dark, and the
chance Of doing anything small. He had met
congregation of twelve for over two months in
q private house, but had afterwards managed
| to obtain more suitable ediice. He had, also
spent some time North trying to raise funds to
| build church, and had returned with some
| encouragement He then opened with member
| ship of eighteen, which, By God 5 blessing, had
been increased to fity-two There was now a
| fair prospect of building up the church there.
His district contained large number Of North
ern people, who had no church privileges
there was no social determination between them
and the old inhabitants While those alluded
to belonged to various churches they had aided
him in attempting to raise the Gospel banner.
| With God 8 blessing he hoped they would
| few years, be enabled to place the Methodist
Episcopal Church on a firm and enduring
| foundation there.
Rev. T. H. Haynes, of the Portsmouth, Dis
trct, said matters were improving there Two
years ago, when he took charge, the church
numbered 70 members and Is Sunday school
scholars. Now there were IS members and
200 scholars Things were improving. He
had organized colored class eight miles from
the city, which was in ilourlshlng condition
Two local preachers, besides others, were aiding
| in the good work. Nothing was wanting to
wards success but suitable church ediffce.-
| His CONGREGATION had now to worship in q Ten |