Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-08

aDQ children turned out into tue Wluei'
ness, naked and hungry in the midst OF
winter. Others who escaped in
time found work and refuge
in adjoining districts and Con-
ferences." The Conference had
always been extremely conservative on
the slavery question, but now that
paracidal war was waged against the
national life, the brethren declared that
the rebellion was unjust, illegal and
unauthorized by the Word of God, and
they pledged their labors and prayers
"ior its speedy overthrow and utter eX-
termination, and that the authority oil
our government may be asserted and
maintained over our whole country"
The flag to which they clung, and for
the honor of which they dared and SUI
fered so much, finally waved in triumph
from the Lakes to the Gulf, and the
Conference, baptized with fire and
blood, was in commanding position In
the State, and before the nation. 1t has
been from that time forward the leading
religious organization in the common
wealth, and has enjoyed constantly
increasing prosperity.
A ROLL OF HONOR.
OF those who received appointments
at that Conference extraordinary, as
it has been termed, many have disap-
peared. Gordon Battelle, VIM. Hun.
ter, q. w. Richmond, w. l.. lindman
and many more have entered into the
heavenly possession. James Drum
mond, Samuel Barnes, T. II. Monroe,
Wesley Smith, Franklin Ball and others
have been transferred TO other confer
ences. The following names still re-
main on the Conference roll: j. b.
Pinchen, Ulysses Pribble, J. w.
Webb, Samuel Kitchens, r. c.
Wilson, Benz. Ison, ]. b. Feather,
J. l.. Clark, G. Martin, T. Trainer, r. A.
woodward, A. J. LYDIA, d. II. X. Dix,
Ashford Hall, X. NJ. Wallace, w. II.
Wiley, Spencer King, f. Ford, Samuel
Steele, f. Guthrie, b. +. Rogers, V.
Sandford, ID. Cool, T. b. Hughes, S. f.
Steele, X. Northcraft, J. w. Roger, j.
NJ. Warden, +. w. Ryan, w. II. Shaw,
C. Conner, II. c. Sandford, B. Hagar
and b. Darlington, who was assigned,
at that Conference, to sutton, Addison,
Summerville, Mountain Cove, Fayette
and Raleigh"-a tremendous appoint
ment! OF these thirty-four historic
men, eleven are returned as superan-
nuated or supernumerary, and others
of them must soon take their
places on those undesirable lists.
So far as they are in these
relations and claimants on the Confer
ence funds, they are the men for whom
specially plead to-day. Surely the
ministers who have worn themselves
out in this State and during the trying
periods of its pioneer work and revOlu-
tionary strife, are entitled to the kindly
and generous support OF
those who have entered into their Ia
bors and who possess their inheritance.
The names of some of the most use
full and honored members OF the Con-
ference do not appear on this list. j.
w. w. Bolton located the previous
year, but subsequently re-eDtered the
Conference. J. J. Deliver was at Oak
land, Maryland, and the minutes OF the
next year show that he bravely held his
ground and faithfully did his work.
There were number of preachers of
whom the Conference could obtain no
on account OF the distracted
condition of the country.
Wheeling was supplied as follows:
Presiding Elder, j. Drummoud; Fourth
Street, Samuel Barnes; North Street, j.
l.. Clark; Chaplne Street, q, Martin;
South Wheeling, A. w. Gregg. These
were all able and earnest men.
RECORD OF FOURTH STREET CHURCH.
During the seventeen conference years
which have passed under review, this
church, to its everlasting honor I've it
spoken, has not failed in single in
stance to respond to the demand Tor
conference funds. The total amount
of the fifth collection raised in
the Conference from 1865 to
1873, inclusive is, Sl2,9l5. OF
this sum, Fourth street contributed
g, 422, or nearly oncffth OF the whole.
In other words, this church, during the
period mentioned, has literally sustain
ed its own pastors and also paid 81, 422
towards the relief of the worn-Out
preachers OF the Conference, the widows
and orphans of deceased preachers, and
to assist those who have not received
their full allowance on the circuits and
stations. This fact is not only honor
able TO the church, but of marked inter
est to the Conference.
The amount of missionary money
raised in the Conference during this
period is S52,OSl, of which sum Fourth
street contributed $ll,S20, or more
than one-fifth of the whole. 1t ought
to be remembered that during this time
Zane Street and Thompson Churches
have been established, taking from
Fourth Street both members and money,
and that a new and expensive house OF
worship has been reared by this society
for its own accommodation, and for the
public benefit. During my own pastor
ate, $1,000 have been expended in re-
pairs and improvements, and debt OF
$40, 900 has been met, to the last penny,
by cash payments and good and reliable
but the benevolent con-
tributions have not been withheld or
in consequence. do not
mention these things. my brethren, TO
praise you, though, indeed, you deserve
butts as a matter ofjustice,
and that your true relation to the Con-
ference may be understood. The large
and steady contributions of this church
10 the cause of missions has enabled and
encouraged the Parent Board to make
larger appropriations to the mission
work within our own bounds than
would otherwise have been possible;
and so every member Of the Conference
who has been assigned, during any OF
these years, to a mission circuit OF. sta
ton, has been materially benefited. In
this manner, you have helped the whole
ministered to the recesst-
ties of many a poor missionary preacher
and advanced the moral and religious
interests OF every part OF the common
wealth.
RELATIVE RANK OF PREACHERS.
do not pretend that the men for
whom ! ask your contributions, to-day,
have, in general, distinguished them
selves as orators or divines, although the
West Virginia Conference has had its
full share OF pulpit culture and power.
But, as Ruskin says, there are two
ways OF regarding a sermon, either as a
human composition or as divine mes
sage" 1t may be that our fathers in the
ministry did not pronounce very ele-
CANT discourses, considered as human
but no class OF men was