The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-03
ANNUAL CONFERENCE METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL sEssIoN-F1

EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
sEvENTY-N1NTH ANNUAL sEssIoN-F1FTH
DAY.
The Conference met at the usual hour.
Bishop Kcener in the chair. Opening reli-
gious exercises conducted by the Rev. Jacob
Manning.
The minutes of Saturdays meeting were
read and approved.
Examination of the character and statis-
tics Of ministers resumed.
Rev. z. A. Peterson asked the Conference
to excuse him from the duties of assistant
secretary on account of declining health.
His request was granted, and Rev. S. S.
Lambeth elected to fill the vacancy.
Rev. A. G. Brown, the financial agent Of
Randolph Macon College, presented report
for the last fiscal year, which makes the fol-
lowing exhibit: During the year the debts
Of the college have been considerably re-
duced. For example, the debt due the
estate of the Rev. William A. Smith, D. D.,
which at last report was 81, 27216, has been
reduced to S1,IS0. The balance due Mr..
Thomas Branch on advances made in the
purchase Of the college property at Ashland
has been paid in full, principal and interest.
The floating debt of the college, most of
which was assumed by the Board of Trlls-
tees for the relief of the Washington and
Franklin Literary Societies, who had scri-
ullsIy embarrassed themselves in the cree
ton of their new halls, has been cOnsoli-
dated and placed in Il much more manageable
and agreeable form by Il loan which the agent
WAS fortunate enough to effect Il few
months ago ut reduced rate of interest.
Two new buildings have been erected; the
large aud costly literary halls have been
completed; the wings of the chapel have been
enlarged and extended, making two large
and well-arrangcd lccturc.rooms the dormi-
tories and other college buildings have been
repaired and reprinted; and the campus has
been laid with walks and cr-drainage-all
of which was paid for as the work pro-
crossed. These improvements have cOntri-
buted greatly to the comfort OF students and
officers Of the college, and have materially
enhanced the value and availability of the
premises for the college purposes.
The college has matrerlation list of PA
students, which is not only in advance Of
the number reported in November of last
year, but is in excess of the number matri
culatcu at the corresponding date OF any >eS-
sion in the long and honorable history Of the
institution. OF the pa matriculatcs, 1876 are
from Virginia Conference, SO from Baltimore
Conference, 81 from that part of North Car
DINA not embraced in the Virginia Confer
eucc. from West Virginia, from Tennessee,
8 from Alabama, from Texas, 4 from Louisi-
ana. 5 from Georgia, from Mississippi, = from
Missouri, 3 from New York, from Penn
sylvania, and one from the Cherokee Nation.
Forty-tour are preparing for the ministry,
twenty one are sons of itinerant ministers,
nineteen are scholarship, four give their
notes for their tuition fees payable with in
tcrest from date two years after they leave,
and l2G pay full tuition fees. The number pre-
pairing for the ministry in excess of last year
is five, while there are two paying members
IN excess of last year. Last year Richmond
district was accorded the distinction of yield
ing the largest proportion Of students to the
numerical strength Of the Church. This year
it has been fairly won by the Lynchburg dis
trict.
If the Conference should be able to IA isc
this year the entire amount of assessment for
the educational fund-viz, $3,O00-therc
would be Il balance on account OF privileged
students of $3.50. An appeal is made for
continued and increased support OF this
liberal and valuable college.
Uc hCt. Ds " tiiS " WV
Educational Board, presented a report show
Ing that since the 9th of November, 1852,
the sum of S90352 has been received by the
Board, and out of this there have been pald
the expenses of seven young preachers at
Randolph Macon College through the last
term, ending June 10Th, and the expenses OF
two others the greater part OF the term, anu
had left in the treasury Sl45.O4.
On the 9th of September the annual meet
ing of the Board was held in Richmond, and
out of the applicants before the Board SIX
were elected and are now prosecuting their
studies at Randolph Macon College under
these auspices.
The report, speaking of the work Of the
Board, says: "We rejoice to say that we are
continuing to reap the reward OF our labor.
In addition to those who have heretofore en-
tered the Conference through our assistance,
three other Young men whom we have edu-
Gated at Randolph Macon College have been
received among us us tellow-laborers IN the
ministry the present session OF the CONFER
cucc, and four or five whom we are now
educating will, in the providence OF God, De
ready to unite with us st our next session."
In accordance with resolution embodied
in the above report collection was taken
I'D in the conference.room to defray an ex-
pense of $500 necessary to be incurred be-
tween this and the 1st Of June for educa-
tiona purposes. The whole amount was
made up by cash and subscription.
On motion of Or. Bennett, it was resolved
10 hold Il session OF the Conference this at-
ternoon at o'clock.
Rev. William B. Rowzie, the chairman OF
the committee appointed to investigate the
complaint against the Rev. Joshua l.. Gar
rett. stated that the word "serlous" ap-
nearing in his report was not meant to
impljcate in any manner the moral character
of the gentleman concerned.
The case was disposed oil as formerly, and
the character of MIR. Garrett passed unanl'
On Saturday the Rev. W. W. Walker, Of
Wcstmoreland, was, upon his own request!
discontinued in u supernnmerary relation
and will receive regular appointment oS
the Conference. -,
After the reading of several notices lhs
Conference adjourned to meet at o'clo'i
this morning. I'd.
Especial telegram TO the Dispatch.l
NORFOLK, VA, December 2.-Bishop Dog
rett preached memorial sermon on the III
and character of Bishop Early, deceased, 10
day to an immense congregation.
| The Conference this afternoon elerleQ III