Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-26
WASHINGTON CONFERENCE OF THE u. Z.
CHURCH.

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE OF THE H. Z.
CHURCH.
LARGE ATTENDANCE OF DELEaATEs-A FINE, |
LOOKING BODY OF MEN-GooD ORDER AND
DEcoRUM DURING THE SESSION.
The fifteenth annual session Of this Confer |
ence was begun on last Wednesday morning at |
o'clock in the handsome new edifce OF the
M. E. Church (colored) on Augusta street. The
attendance of delegates was unusually large, |
and constituted remarkably fne-look1ng
body of men, The utmost good order was OBJ |
served throughout the session, and all discus |
sions were characterized by great urban1ty ana |
politeness. All matters before the Conference |
were treated in business-like way, showing
the earnestness of purpose with which, they nao
assumed the responsibilities of the high calling
of ministers of the gospel, and deep sense OF
the Importance of the work upon which tney
had entered. Only one session OF the Confer |
ence was held daily,-from 9 to IL in the morn |
ing-the remainder Of the day being devoted to
committee work and devotional exercises.
The Conference was organized with Bishop
E. g. Andrews, of Iowa, as Chairman; c. ].
Key, Secretary; w. P. Ryley and A. P. Wilson,
Assistants; and G. DIS. Hall, Recording Score
tary.
In opening the Conference, Bishop Andrews
delivered brief and earnest address, after
which the Communion was administered, and
the body at once proceeded to business.
P. G. Walker, E. Hammond, w. w. Foreman,
John A. Holmes and w. T. Harris, were ap-
pointed Conference stewards. and the stand
ing committees were announced.
This days session was occupied in hearing
the reports of contributions of the various min
listers in charge of stations, and the reports OF
the Presiding Elders on the general condition
of the districts. In the main, the contributions
had been liberal, Notwithstanding the hard
times, and the general welfare of the church
was most encouraging. Large accessions had
been made to the membership, new churches
and parsonages had been built, debts had been
paid, and the promise for the future was bright.
THURSDAYS SESSION
Opened with devotional services, conducted
by Rev. ]. B. Snowden.
The Bishop appointed NJ. Spriddle, w. II.
Cook, W. w. Foreman, L. Martin, and E. Law
son, a committee to investigate the charges
presented against Philip Brown.
The reports from the districts were continued
and concluded.
The tenth and eighth questions of the general
minutes, Who are Supernumeraries? and, Who
are Superannuated? were taken up and dis
posed of.
The annual report of the Book Concerns was
read and ordered to be filed.
A list of the contributions to the fund, to be
distributed among preachers who have not re-
ceived a comfortable support during the year,
was read. The total amount contributed was
s676.
A communication from Miss Hart, Cores
linn NOW oFf1 ,n Wnn1o rp'c
Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, was
read and referred.
The Bishop addressed the Conference on the
subject of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society," showing cencisely and forcibly the
great importance of the Society, and that thro
its aid the Christian world may hope to gain
access to many heather nations.
Adjourned with doxology and benediction.
FRIDAYS SESSION.
The minutes of yesterday were read, correct
ed, and approved.
The Bishop introduced to the Conference
Rev. J. e. Round, of the Centenary Biblical
Institute of Baltimore, who delivered an adj
dress upon the general topic of the advantages
of education, and spoke particularly Of the adj
vantages which the Institute offers to the
young men of the Conference to acquire good
education. All of the present ministers of the
Conference, he was assured, felt the disadvan-
tages under which they labored from the want
of early mental training. He urged them to
increased activity in contributing to the Freed
mans Aid cause, as well as to the general edu-
catlonal cause.
At the close of Mr.. Rounds remarks, the
Bishop spoke earnestly and forcibly of the
importance of education to the young men
of the Conference. urging that they should be
given the very best possible educational facili-
ties The education of the young men he re-
garded as even more important than church
extension.
On motion, the money now on hand from the
Freedman's Aid Fund was directed to be turned
over to Rev. Mr.. Round.
After considerable discussion, a resolution,
offered by Rev. J. H. Riddick, was adopted,
instructing the stewards to apply $500 of the
funds in their possession to the relief of the
widows and superannuated ministers Of the
Conference, and that the balance of the fund
be applied to the relief Of the most needy mem
bers of the Conference.
Considerable discussion was evoked by a res
olution offered, requiring that candidates for
the ministry shall be sufficiently educated to
comply with the requirements of the Book Of
Discipline.
In answer to a question, the Bishop remarked
that the resolution, If passed, would only
amount to an expression that Conference would
do Its duty for the requirements of the Book
of Discipline cover the points made in the res
olution.
After a number of earnest and sometimes ell
oquent speeches on the Importance and neces-
sity of an educated ministry, the resolution was
passed by large majority.
ADMISSIONS TO THE MINISTRY.
Under the third question of the general min
utes, Who admitted to full connection the
following persons when called, took their stand
in front of the Bishop and answered the ques-
tions prescribed by the Book Of Discipline:
John Jackson, John w. Waters, and Fred. F.
Sawyer.
Before putting the questions, the Bishop
earnestly and feelingly admonished them of
the great responsibilities they were about
to assume, and gave them much good adj
vice, which was attentively and seriously lis
tened to- After questions by members of Con-
ference had been satisfactorily answered, and
testimony borne as to the character of the ap-
p1icants they were admitted to full connection,
At II o'clock, a missionary sermon was
preached by Rev. Mr.. Cooper, OF Baltimore,
taking his text, Mathew. 24:l4 The church was
crowded with spectators, and the earnest ap-
peal of the preacher in behalf OF those who are
deprived of the word of God was attentively
listened to. After the sermon, Conference ad
journed.
SATURDAYS SESSION
opened with devotional exercises, conducted
by Rev. Mr.. Spriddle.
Rev. Benz. Roberts, Of the Staunton District
was, on motion discontinued. London Briggs
of Ale xandria, was continued, and VIM. P. Ry-
der continued on trial.
Under the fifth question, Who are deacons Of
the second class ? the following persons report
ed their collections for the ministerial, church
extension and episcopal funds, were represent
ed by their presiding elders, and were passed
John W. Daley, Sam1 Brown, Geo. I. Wright
Rob't O. Hilhard, John E. Williams, Joshua
Barnes, BENZ. H. Nugent, Chas. W. Foreman
Perry Mcpherson, Winstead Galloway, and
John A. Reid.
When the name of Benz. W. Brown was pro-
posed, his advancement was opposed by Rev.
]. A. Scott, who, in the course of his remarks,
said he had good cause to believe him guilty of
he ctl