Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-04
Baptist General Association.

The fifty-fifth annual session OF the
Virginia Baptist Association opened at
Portsmouth, Wednesday evening, with
was elected president.
On Thursday morning, the President
read an affecting letter from Rev. George
B. Taylor, missionary now in Rome,
which stated among other things, that
he had just completed arrangements for
| the erection of a new Baptist chapel in
the Eternal City, and the prospect was
full of promise and encouragement. He
stated that it was necessary to raise 81,
600 by October for this special work.
The chapel will be occupied in the fall
At IL o'clock on Thursday, Rev. Chas.
Manly, d. D., of this city, preached the
anniversary sermon taking as his text
the 4th chapter of st. John, 34th verse !:
"Jesus said unto them, my meat is to do
the will of Him that sent me and to finish
His work."
The sermon was an able discussion on
the importance of elf-sacrifice and self
| denial in the labors of the ministry and
the necessity OF constant, unwearying
exertion as divinely exemplified in the
| life of Jesus Christ himself in accom-
plishihg the will of the Father who had
sent him on earth to work.
On Thursday night, the annual report
of the Sunday School and Bible Board
was read by Rev. Charles Manly, d. D.,
president of the Board.
During the year nine colporters have
been employed, laboring in eight AS
sociations. They were engaged sol days,
made 2,038 visits for religious conversion
and prayer, held 221 public religious SER
vices, and organized "a new Sunday
schools. Donations amounting to $685. 50
have been made. Total paid on account
of salaries is $6O2.SS.
Special attention is called to the valu-
able services of Rev. G. F. Fry in awak-
ening interest in the work of the Board,
and in securing information which will
be of great value in it's future operations.
The success of the past year is very en-
couraging, while the demand for our
peculiar work is constantly increasing,
band the work itselfseen to be indispensa-
BILE to den ominational progress. Some
incidents illustrative of the character of
the work were given.
One fact, specially emphasized, is the
large number of Bibles and Testaments
distributed, indicating gratifying dis
position on the part of the people to study
the Word of God.
The report closes with an appeal for
larger contributions from the churches
to enable the Board to nlarge the sphere
of its operations.
The report was adopted after discus
sion by Rev. Drs. T. w. Sydnor, Charles
Manly, and M. B. Wharton, and Revs.
F. B. Beale, J. H. Newbill, H. M.
Wharton, Colporter Skinner, Of Eau
quier, and Rev. G. H. Ryland.
On Friday, Mr.. H. X. Ellyson, cores
ponding secretary, read the fifty-fifth
annual report of the State Mission Board.
We give brief abstract of it.
Thirty-eight missionaries were ap.
pointed last year-15 to labor in the
Tidewater division of the State, nine in
Piedmont and Middle Virginia, and
fourteen west of the Blue Ridge. They
occupied al stations in parts of 4s coun-
ties and "a towns and villages preach
ed 1920 sermons; 2, 12s persons profess
ed faith in Christ under their ministry,
59l of whom were baptized into the fel,
iOwship of the mission churches, and
most of the others by pastors with whom
they labored; 5 new churches and %
new Sunday schools were organized by
them 5 new houses of worship were
finished and II others are being built by
the missionaries. They sustained 1O2
Sunday schools at their stations.
During the year the treasurer has re-
ceived for this Board $S,908. Is, and paid
out IS, 047. 30-leaving balance in his
hands to the credit Of this department of
the work of the General Association the
sum of $S60S5.
The report concludes with an earnest
appeal for larger contributions TO meet
the increasing demand for missionary
labor.
The report elected one of the most in
teresting discussions ever had on the
floor of the Association.
Charlottesville was selected rs the
place for the next meeting. Rev. DR..
William d. Thomas was appointed to
fTreach the Introductory sermon, and
Rev. J. w. McCown, selected as alter
nate.
On Saturday morning, the Association
received the report of the Committee on
Education, presented by Rev. DIR. w. ID.
Thomas. The report gives most en-
account of the condition ofthe
colleges and schools in Virginia under
Baptist control.
After the reading of the report on
Foreign missions, DR.. Curry stated that
Virglnia'S quOla 10 raise the balance
necessary to finish the Rome chapel was
fixed at 81 ,000 and asked for 5000 that
day. The Association took hold of the
matter with good deal of spirit, and in |
q few minutes raised 81 900 on the spot |
Rev. DR.. Chas. Manly is President of
the Sunday School and Bible Board.
The reSo. Gtion concerning the APP
DointmeLt Of missionaries among the |
colored people was laid On the table.
The Association adjourned Saturday
night to meet in Charlottesville next
June.