The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-10-10

ANNUAL MEETING OF TIE METHODIST
SUNDAYScHoOL SOCIETY Y.-The seventh All
nuai meeting Of this Society was held at
Union Station church Sunday afternoon at
3 O'clock, William Willis, Jr., president,
!; in the chair. Ihe attendance was very
large and the interest unabated.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. 3. +. Woodward, and sinoiug 10y
Union Station school, led by Z. p. lludg-
ins, Esq.
After preliminary exercises, the presi.
dent, William Willis, Jr.. submitted his
annual report for the year ending Scptcm.
Der 31st.
The report was very able one, and
shows the Society TO be in i10urishing
condition--in discipline, in numbers, in
finances, and in spiritual Improvement.
1'he report makes the following interesting
statement
The average roll Of scholars through the
past year was 1872, and the average at
tendance 50 per cent, or 1,3S4-an Increase
of 155 over the previous year. The num-
bcr of officers, teachers, and scholars, now
enrolled, 2,025; aggregate number OF vol
umes I'D libraries, 1865; number OF
sunday school papers taken monthly, ,240;
number OF conversions during the year,
I35 number of bcneiiciarics in D0rcaS So
cietics. I76; amount Of money expended
during the year for Sunday school and be-
nevolent purposes, $2, $50; amount now in
treasures above Indebtedness, SGl6. The
supply of instruction books is nearly suf1i-
ctent. The department OF scholars reported
uniformly good, and majority of the
teachers faithful. One school reports 3, 6OO
perfect rccitations, and 70 per cent. OF the
school exclusive of infant classcs), reach.
ing the highest standard. The system of
uniform Iessonsis in general use, and fayora-
BILE In it results. The Church catechism is
! receiving more attention than formerly.
The children are better trained in glylDgfor
the cause of religion. One mission school
established, numbering 30 scholars, and not
included in the above aggregate.
On motion of 7. l.. ID. WallOrd, the
Richmond Christian AdU0cate was request
ed TO publish the report. ~.
Rev. E. NJ. Peterson then addressed the
audience in very lively, interesting, and
profitable address on the " Value Of the
Bible" He urged the readiug and study
Of the Bible as the duty of all, both young
dents connected with the history of the
Bible from its first tracings by the tiuSer Of
The Almighty through its, prosecutions and
trials down to the present. day. His re-
marks were interspersed with very appro-
pirate illustrations. ..,.-,....
Rev. John E. Edwards also addressed the
meeting on the value Of the Sabbath school
as an instrumentality in the propagation of
Bible truth. The moral forces at work In
this department are silently acting like
the leaven hid in the meal, and the result
will show that it is great power for good.
He encouraged the Society to persevere in
its organization, and predicted a brilliant
future. - -
On motion, a. Lee, William Holt Rich
ardson, James e: Riddick, j. ii. Peay, Dr.,
G. G. Walter, f.. w. Redford, A. w. Rich-
ardson, A. L. West, and &. b. Lipscomb,
were appointed u committee to nominate
officers for the ensuing year.
The committee having retired, returned
and nominated the following officers, who
were unanimously elected President, wal
liam Willis, Jr., Of Broad.StrGet,;; sslstant
President, DIR. w. W. Parker, OF Broad
Street. Vice-Presidents 1st, Asa Snyder,
of Centenary; Cd, e. L. Parham, OF Broad
Street Sd, T.W.: Pemberton, Of Trinity !;
4,h, Robert E. Richardson, of Union Sta
tion; 9th, George w. Amistead, OF Clay
Street 9th, I'll. L. Gary, of Manchester !;
7th, Charles Hagan, Of Oregon; Sth, a. u.
West, of Sidney; Oh, Lud. Penny, iof
Rockets. Secretary, Charles p. Rady, of
Trinity; Assistant Secretary, R.yJs Chris