The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-02

The Virginia Christian Missionary So
ciety, organized in November, 1875, "for
the spread OF the Gospel within the limits
OF the State" met in annual session last
night at the Seventh-Street Christian
church, the president, L. A. Cutler, in the
chair. The exercises were opened by sing
ing the hymn commencing, ~ love thy
kingdom, Lord"
After which Rev. T. D. Power read a
lesson from the Scriptures and led in
prayer.
THE SOCIETY
Is composed of lfe-directors, lifc-members,
annual members, and associate members.
"Any member Of the Church of Christ, Or
representative OF any church or any re-
ligious society connected with any church,
may become lfe.director by the payment
of 500 in five annual instalments, life
member by the payment CT $50 in five equal
annual instalments. or an annual member
by the payment of So" Associate members
pay s., but have not the right to vote.
The preachers present were Rev. F. D.
Power, Washington, D. c.; Rev. Calvin S.
Blackwell, Norfolk, Va; Rev. l.. A. Cut
Ter, Louisa Courthouse. Va; Rev. {. S. Lu-
cas-, Lynchburg, Va; Rev. Professor Wade
Shelburne, Big Lick. Va; Rev. DR.. J. W.
Williams, Enfield, Va; Rev. J. A. Dear
horn. Richmond, Va; Rev. J. Z. Tyler,
pastor Of seventh-Street Christian church !;
Rev. Emmett Waldrop, Ashland, Va.
There were present also great many lay
members, including quite a number not
residents OF Richmond.
The President delivered
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS,
congratulating the Society upon the good it
has done. He said that they were stronger
to-day in numbers and in zeal and in moral
power than at any time since the organiza-
ton. His earnest prayer was that every
church in the State should be represented
in the next annual meeting. He answered
the objection that had been by some good
brethren urged against the Society-that the
churches should not delegate their powers
in this matter-and maintained that the sue
ccsSful propagation of the gospel III Virginia
required the churches to use some such in
strumentality as this. The grand aim is to
plant churches in the destitute and impor.
tant centres OF Virginia; not only in cl1lcS,
but in the rural districts. Through the
efforts OF the Society mission churches have
been established and maintained in Lynch.
burg and Norfolk. The most tmid have
no reason to fear an overshadoWing cccle
siastical establishment; the Society mean:
10 help the churches, not to take from then
any authority.
The Pl esidcpt eloquently pleaded for the
cause. He begged members to do all IL
their power to promote the mission work
OF this organization, which he showed by
several timely Illustrations was accomplish
ing great good in carrying the Gospel tc
those without it.
OFFICERS.
On motion the Chair appointed commit
tee, consisting OF A. p. Chandler, Bowling
Green; G. Z. Stacy, Richmond; Dr. ). ;
Henley. King and Queen county, to noml
nate officers; the committee to report al
this mornings session.
Colonel John b. Cary read the
ANNUAL REPORT OF TIE BOARD
OF Managers.
The report gave an encouraging account
OF the operations OF the Society in a ted
not occupied by any other agency OF Tx
Church in the State.
It was al unusually fine plea on behalf ol
missions, and kindly and ludIclous uc'
fence OF the method adopted by this So
cietv to that end. The rcnort announced
the death OF Theodore II. Roberts, OF Char'
lotte, to whom the Society is indebted for
handsome bequest ($4.000l and recon-
melded that committee DC appointed te
prepare suitable resolutions.
The report was accepted and ordered tc
be referred 10 appropriate committees.
TIE TREASURER,
J. L. Maury, Esq, presented his annua
report, showing balance Of $3.50.
Brethren present not connected with tht
Society were, on motion OF Rev. j. u
Tyler, invited to participate in the ielinera
tons.
An opportunity was now given for OLE
members to renew their subscriptions hnt
for new ones to enter the Society. The
treasury was thus replenished to consid
erable extent. Those subscribing, and st
wishing. were allowed to designate where
it should be spent.
THE PRESIDENT
read the following programme for to-day
10A. NJ.
/. Annual report OF evangelist, c. ). Lu
cas-.
2. General discussion OF the report.
3. Address, at II 4. NJ, by G. 5. Black
WELL
4. General discussion till adjournment.
4P. NJ.
1. Address by F. D. Power.
2. General discussion.
7:45 P. NJ.
1. Sermon by /. j. Spencer.
2. Unfinished business.
On motion of Rev. J. q. Tyler The con
yention adjourned.
The. congregation was dismissed ate
benedicton by the president.