The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-22
the District Conference OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South.
From The Norfolk Virginian.I

which held its session in Smith6eld, COM
mencinc on Thursday, the 18th instant.
On that afternoon the conference opened
with religious exercises by the Rev. W. W.
Bennett.
Mr.. w. N. Eaton was elected secretary.
The first business in order was the re-
ception of reports of the ministers OF the
different churches.
REPORTS OF PREACHERS. H'
Rev. John L. Fisher, pastor Of the
Second-street church, Newtown. reported
n church membership Of 112; Sunday
school officers, teachers and scholars, 2O4.
Rev. j. P. Garland, pastor of Dinwlddie-
street church, reported membership OF
1914; Sunday-school officers, teachers and
scholars, 1872 j; church ediflce in course OF
construction to cost 100000; salary OF
pastor, 50 900.
Rev. j. H. Amiss, pastor OF Centfal
church. reported membership OF 2oZ
officers. teachers and pupils in the sabbath
school, Ply: salary of pastor, 81 900.
Rev. VIM. MCGEE, pastor of the Chest
nut-street church, Berkeley, reported
membership of 50 officers, teachers and
scholars in Sabbath-school, 13l salary Of
pastor, S60O.
On the same evening the
OPENING SERMON
was delivered by the Rev. j. Fl. Amiss
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Conference met and opened with singing
and prayer, conducted by Rev. w. D..
Norfleet. President in the chair.
Revs. A. G. Brown, and j. B. Laurens
we're introduced to the conference by the
president also brother W. L. Davis, OF
the Southern female college at Petersburg.
Berkeley was unanimously selected as the
place for the next meeting of the confer
ence.
Brother j. III. Dawson read an essay on
the origin. nature and efficiency of the
stewardship in the church, which was
heard and received by all present with
great satisfaction.
A vote of thanks was rendered to Rev.
J. H. Amiss for the appropriate and forci-
BILE sermon delivered by him before the con-
ference last night.
Rev. P. A. Peterson offered the follow.
ing, which was adopted:
Whereas, Methodism was first introduce
ed into Virginia through the agency of Rob-
ert Williams, who also was largely instru-
mental in spreading and establishing it in
the state and southwark and who, accord
ing to Bishop Asbury's testimony, had been
at the time of his death, in IT'S, more sue
cessful in winning souls to Christ than any
other man in America and, whereas, his
first sermon in Virginia was delivered in
the city of Norfolk, and the first society in
Virginia was organized by him in the city
of Portsmouth and, whereas, he died and
was buried although his grave is unknown
within the bounds of the Norfolk district !;
and, whereas, it is due to the prominent
part which he took in planting our Church
in this land, that we should even at this late
day erect some memorial of his signal ser
vices; therefore,
Resolved, That committee OF five be
appointed to consider what action should
be taken by this district conference to pro-
vide such memorial.
Rev. j. d. Blackwell read an essay on
missions which impressed the audience
and created an enthusiasm. After which
collection was lifted to defray the ex.
penses of printing the minutes of the con
ference for gratuitous distribution. Amount
of collection, S137.
Committee required by the resolutions
on the Williams monument are as follows
Revs. j. HI. Amiss and j. d. Blackwell
and brothers L. B. Ames, G. Ii. Balm
and j. H. Dawson.
Adjourned.
Rev. William Starr preached very abb
and interesting sermon to large and al
tentive audience.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference met at o'clock with relig
ious exercises, conducted by Rev. l.. b
Laurens. President in the chair.
Brother C. Deming read an essay OF
the Sunday-school in its relation to tn
Church, which was well received.
Rev. J. j. Edwards read report irol
the committee on Sunday-schools. whic
was adopted unanimously after an interes
ing discussion ON that portion of the repol
as to the system of instruction used in I'll
Sunday-school.
SABBATH-SCH0oII REPORT.
Your committee are profoundly impress.
ed with the great Importance of the Sal
bath school work. They believe it to b
the reservoir from which the church draw
its resources, and that no church can pros
per that wilfully neglects this great INSTR
mentality. The pastor ought to take {
interest in the Sabbath.school, have pc
sonal acquaintance with the children, al
suffer no man to supplant him in their q
fections. The parents should visit Il
school and cooperate with the teacher
in securing the faithful attendance OF u
children. The teachers should be STUD
Gus, prepare themselves by thought al
research for the work, and invoke Il
blessings of God upon their labors of low
In examining these reports from the Sc
era charges in the district your comml
tee has been impressed with the fact th
only portion of our scholars adopt o.
uniform systems of lessons published
Nashville. Brethren, these things ougl
not so to be; there is something beautif
in the thought of the same lesson BEN
taught on the same Sabbath througho
the connection. Again, the number
children attending Sabbath-schools Dug
to approximate the number of membe
on the roll of that particular church.
Resolved, l.. That we, as district Co
ference, are deeply interested in this gre
work-rejoice in success which
crowned our labors in the past, and pied
ourselves here and now to renewal Of o
efforts for the future.
Resolved, 2. That we recommend t
adoption, wherever practicable, by all
our schools, Of the uniform system of |,
sons issued by our publishing house
Nashville.
Resolved, 8. That we highly appreci'
"A = 81 n