The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-12
MEcKLENBURG COUNTY, VA, Jar
PETERSBURG.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MECHANICS ASSO-
CITATION; A wEIL-MANAGhD AND WORTHY
INSTITUTION-THE GOOD WORK OF The
YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
FAILURE OF THE BOARD or BISHOPS TO
MEET-MORE BAD WEATHER-THE HUNTING
sEAsON-THE RIVER FRESHET, sc.
ICorrespondence of the Richmond Dispatch
JANUARY II, 1881.
The annual meeting Of the Petersburg
Mechanics Benevolent Association was held
last night, when officers were elected for
the ensuing year. Mr.. w. c. Lnms-
den was reelected president; James +.
Wolf. vice. president; and William II.
Baxter, secretary and treasurer. The
Old Board OF Directors were mostly
reelected. This Association was char
tered over fifty years ago, and only one
of the original members survives. 1t was
never in more prosperous condition than at
present, and the amount OF good it has done
can hardly be estimated. The Association
numbers about eighty members, owns val
liable property on Sycamore street, has one
OF the bes. libraries and relding-roOms in
the State, has established the nucleus OF a
fine museum, and is doing 4 benevolent
work, which has brought relief TO many
families. During the year just ended the
sum OF 81 ,227 was expended IN assisting
widows and needy members, and 500 in
additions to the library and museum. Four
widows of members died during the past
wear, and sixteen widows are now receiv-
ing assistance from the Association.
Our Young Mems Christian Association
has not only given us star course OF enter
talnments this season, but Is, III addition,
giving the community the benefit OF regu-
| lar course OF lectures. Among those VINO
are expected to contribute TO this regular
course are General COlst0D, Major Hotch'
| kiss, and several Of the more prominent citi-
Gems in our own midst. DIR. John Herbert
Claiborne has consented 10 deliver series
OF three lectures on "The Scieree Of Lie
and the Art Of Living" to be illustrated
with diagrams, and efforts are being made
| TO induce others 10 contribute OF their
know ledge and information. The AssOcla-
ton is working on a trmer basis than ever,
and has received the hearty support of the
community this season. 1t has now lee
| ture.hal and gymnasium, very attractive
and cosy parlor and readingrOOm, and a
library of about 500 choice volumes, about
one half OF which were received yesterday.
These are features which it is designed to
make as attractive as possible. Ladies as
well as gentlemen are received as members.
The Board Of Bishops OF the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, an
lnounced to meet in this city to-day, did not
assemble for want of quorum. Bishops
Hillery OF California and Hood Of North
Carolina were the only two present, and il
was decided to adjourn the session 10 Wash
iugton, for which city the two diyines left
this afternoon, where other bishops OF the
Church will meet them during the week,
and where they will call in body on Presl'
dent Hayes. This Church has seven bishops
and twenty.One annual conferences, which
are entitled TO ten delegates to the.Eccu'
menical Council, which assemblies in London
in August next. Rev. j. McH. Farley (col.
ored), OF this city, is one OF the delegates 10
The Council from the Virginia Conference.
The Board Of Bishops meets twice year,
and a portion o. the business Of the present
meeting is the proper assignment OF the ten
delegates among the conferences.
We had another slight fail OF hail last
night and sprinkiBg OF snow this morn
ing. The weather is cloudy and raw to-day
III there is any truth in the old saying that
the character of the weather during the first
twelve days in January is an indication OF
that Of the twelve months OF the year, we
shall have no lack OF moisture this year. 80
far we have had but two partially clear and
pleasant days this month.
The season for hunting deer ends on
Saturday the 18th instant. he sport la,
been very fine throughout the season in this
section, as deer were never before known
to be so plentiful. Great numbers OF them
have been killed in the adjacent counties
and our market has all the time been vel
[suppIied with venison. Sportsmea have
generally stopped hunting the small game
such as hares and cartridges, by reason OF
the defamation Of their numbers by the late
cold spell OF weather and the bad condition
In which 1t has left those that survived il.
The congregation OF the First (colored
Baptist church of this city will have {
pound.party tonight for the benefit Of the
poor OF the church. As the congregation
numbers between two and three thousand,
IL the members respond literally the pool
will be literally cared for.
The water In the river has reached p0in
In some places within about foot OF The
top OF the whsrves-probably the ligbes
mark OF the present fresbet. Ice Is still
coming down freely. ROBIN ADAIR.
The Norfolk Ledger says that Mr.. james
II. Robinson, Portsmouth agent OF tb'
Clyde Line OF steamers, has turned over th'
Office OF the company 10 Walter Thomas