Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-03-13
4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Mr.. T.. Denny. of Winchester, asked for
leaveof absence on pressing business. -
1t was granted, and Bishop Doggett took
occasion to remark that the lay delegates
were an integral part Of the Conference,
whose votes and judgment were impor-
tant to it's deliberations, and he hoped
none would leave who were not obliged to
60.
Prof. Davis, a lay delegate, professor in
the Agricultural College at Blacksburg,
was granted leave Of absence.
Rev. Mr.. Torreyson, was also granted a
leave of absence.
A lay delegate from Roanoke district
Bishop would like leave of absence, am
not obliged to go, but should like to.
Presiding Elder Armstrong Of that dis
trict-Bishop don't let him go.
The lay delegate mind Bishop.
you needn't say anything. If the Presid-
ing Elder says so, I'll obey orders and stay.
[Laughter.l HWY
Rev. Jason p Etcheson was granted
leave OF absence.
ROCKINGHAM DISTRICT.
Presiding Elder Waugh's district being
called, he said it was a remarkable one in
this, that it contained no less than 20 dlf-
ferent christian sects, though about two
thirds Of them are comparatively small
and to this state of things is due the fact
that our ac:essions have not been large
We are surrounded and cramped in extern
sion in the way OF members. Half dozen
of these sects were large and influential be-
fore we entered the field. Notwithstand-
ing the facts, however, we report an in
crease and, an increase mainly arising
from our Sunday schools. Our congrega-
tons have been large, our prayer meetings
poorly attended, and our class meetings
almost fallen into disuse, but our love feasts
have been largely attended and productive
ofgreat spiritual good. Family prayer has
been by no means universal, but has not
been unobserved, though the neglect has
been sufficiently extensive to be cause of
solicitude. The District Conferences have
not been a failure, but they have not been
we'll attended. There has been but one
full one, the preachers showing a lack of
interest. AS to the church conferences
both preachers and people seem to be in
| different to them. Whatever may be the
| cause the church conferences are failure.
| There has been some solicitude in the
| minds Of our people about the title of the
| church property which is now in suit, and
there is a suit now pending sir, for our ex-
clusion from the building in which this
Conference is now sitting. There have
been two churches built in this circuit, on
Elk Run circuit, and the church at
Luray has been improved. We have s
parsonages in IA circuits, the one at Shen-
andoah Iron Works being mainly built by
one member, and mainly furnished by
another. The parsonage at New Market
has been improved and better furnished,
through the efforts of Rev. III. II. Wilson.
The Sunday schools in the district were
grand success-those at Luray, Woodstock,
Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, and last, the
chief of all, at Staunton. AS to the finan-
cial affairs of the district the laymen had
determined that the panic should not af-
feet them, but on the contrary resolved
that so far from falling off there should
be small advance on last year, which was
| done, and all the collections were added
to. Very few church periodicals had been
patronized properly. Myself and my CO.
workers have profound cause, before God,
to put our hands to our mouths and with
bowed heads to confess our inefficiency and
unfaithfulness in the past, but before this
Conference, we can hold up our heads with
our brethren. No clergy nor laity of any
district has done better work than the lay
men and the preachers who have labored
under my supervision in Rockingham dis
trict.
Elder Waugh having retired and his
character being on its passage, DR.. Roszell
said that but for his intimate relations
with him. for a quarter of a century, which
might give rise to the impression that his
personal friendship was the cause of his
praise, he would fully express his opinion
but as twas he would only say as a Presi-
ding Elder and as preacher he wasa mod
Ell man. Eta
Rev. w. II. Wilson-Bishop, that robs
me of nice little speecIlI was going to
make about Elder Waugh.
The Bishop-You had not prepared it
Mr.. Wilson-Yes, l had. Laughter
Rev Norval W lson-.Just here, let me say
something about what Elder Waugh saws
Of the church conferences. The truth is
those meetings spend entirely too much of
their time on finances-though Brother
McFerrin does say that is of the highest
Importance.
DR.. McFerrin-No Religion is my
highest STYLE [Laughter.l
. Rev. Norval Wilson-Well thought
otherwise.
DR.. Memo Sir: That is my highest
style. The state of affairs mentioned by
Brother Waugh exists everywhere. i
I Bishop Doggett- the attention of
General Conference will have to be called
to it.
Elder Waugh's character was passed.
and the examination of his ministers COM
menced with DR.. Roszell. Fs
! Dr. Roszell- collections are all taken
up, and the reports for Stanton Station
in. In consequence of the panic the office
bearers of this church, The most harmonic
GUS body of men have ever seen, deter
mined to increase the tribute to Christ
All the assessments have been met and
some collections increased 25 per cent. T
have toreport the church up in all respects,
except It's pastor whose eye is iimmed and |
whose natural force i, abated.
After DR.. Roszell retired, his character