The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-17

4
vancing in the ministry-Bisbop Pierce
The Education OF the CoIored People in the
South, &c., &c.
| The Virginia Annual Conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, re-
sumed its 101st session yesterday morning
at $3.50 O'Clock in Broad-Strcet Methodist
church Bishop Pierce presiding.
Religious services were conducted by
Rev. Jacob Manning, OF Ettrick.
Rev. Mr.. Manning, who had on the first
days session introduced q resolution ap-
pointing Rev. J. +. Edwards. ID. d., to
preach the semi-centennal sermon upon
the opening OF the Conference next year,
and which resolution was agreed to, moved
TO reconsider the vote by which the resolu-
ton was adopted. Mr.. Manning explained
that il had not occurred TO him that this
semi-centennial sermon might occupy more
time than could be well afforded on the first
day, and indicated his wish to modify his
| motion so as 10 fix Thursday as the day in.
stead OF Wednesday.
The motion to reconsider was agreed to,
and Thursday. the second day OF the Con-
ference, was fixed as the time for DR.. Ed
wards's semi-centennial sermon.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Various clerical and lay delegates not
present before ut this annual meeting OF
| the Conference answered to their names.
The Rosebud Missionary Society, through
Rev. Il. ii. Campbell, recommended Rev.
w. G. Starr and Mr.. Littleton Cockrell as
members Of the Advisory Board of that
Society for confirmation by the Bishop.
The Bishop confirmed the recommends
tion.
Rev. A. G.. Brown read letter from
Rev. f. A. Davis, OF the superannuated
list, who had hoped TO be here, bit who
was in too bad health to attend. lie in
yiled the prayers OF the Conference.
Mr.. Brown also read n letter from Rev.
j.. NJ. Saunders, also on the superannuated
list, asking renewal OF his relations.
The cases were referred to the appro-
pirate committee.
Leave of absence was granted Rev. 7.
p. Duke after Saturday.
Assistant Secretary Peterson read let
ter from Rev. B. L. Woodward, Of Spar
tansburg, S. c., asking a renewal OF bis
superannuated relations. Referred. He
also read similar letter from Rev. 5.
| II. Moorman, Of Amelia. He also read n
letter from Rev. b. NJ. Williams, Of Texas,
which was referred.
The cases OF Rev. Jacob Schopp and J.
4. Riddick were also referred to the same
committee.
SUNDAT-sCHO0L WORK.
The following communication was re-
ceiyed from w. G.. E. Cunningham, SUM-
dsy-scbool editor, dated at Nashville,
Tenn, and addressed to the Bishop and
members OF the Virginia Conference. lie
saws the Sunday-school department is in a
prosperous condition. The increase in
scholars and teachers during the past year
was 23,SG1. The circulation OF our SUM-
day-school literature is larger than ever
before. We believe the methods OF teach
Ing have improved, and that all the inter-
ests OF the-department have materially adj
vanced.
Gracious reyivals Of religion have been
freGuent in our Sunday schools, and many
children and young people have been
brought to Christ. L believe more atten-
ton has been gwen to doctrinll teaching
than heretofore, and trust The pastors will
see 10 it that the children in our Sunday
schools are instructed in the doctrines,
economy, and discipline Of the Church.
We are in danger OF losing some Of our
Young people, for il they are left in ignO-
rance OF the peculiar doctrines Of MethO-
dism they will have little regard for IL, and
having no systematic instruction in the
doctrines of any other Church, will be
without any fixed religious sentiments. |
would earnestly call the attention OF our
preachers and people TO this subject.
am greatly pleased with the recommen-
dation OF the Centennial Committee that 4
counectional fund be raised during the
coming wear TO aid needy Sunday schools
| in purchasing literature. &c. such fund,
| II iuGclously managed, must do great
good.
1st. 1t will materially aid very efficient
( department OF missionary work. for the
/ Sunday school is q most important mission
ary agency. 1t pioneers the way for
church organization in our large cities and
throughout the destitute portions OF our
country. The history OF the Church in
this land for the last twenty-five years
will show probably that in large majority
OF eases where congregations have been
/ gathered and churches organized the Sum
! day school led the way and formed the nu-
/ cleus. With such aid as could be given
by small sum Of money many more schools
might be organized, and the work OF
! church extension greatly facilitated.
Cd. Many attempts to establish sunday
schools among the poor fail for want OF
means TO purchase suitable supplies; for
no school can become efficient or long eX-
| ist anywhere without lesson helps and
books OF some kind. 4 sunday school Is
an educational institute, and not only calls
attention to the duties Of religion, but
awakens desire for general knowledge
| in the minds OF the young, and it
should he prepared to furnish the in
struction which this awakened desire de-
mands. II our Young people are to be
educated as Methodists in our Sunday
schools it must be by using our own litera-
ture. As has been said, and il will bear
/ saving often again, "We might as well
supply our pulpits with preachers OF other
denominations and expect our people to be
well instructed in the doctrines and uSages
of our Church as to Use foreign literature
in our Sunday schools and expect our
children TO be properly taught in Metho-
dist doctrine" We hope our preachers
will see that all orr schools are supplied
with our own Sunday-school literature.
| The Book Committee have added to the
! editorial force in the Sunday-school depart
ment by the election of the Rev. j. A.
/ LYONS as assistant editor. Brother Lyons
I is an experienced Sunday-school worker,
and / feel greatly siren ythened and en-
couraged by his presence and help in the
/ office
The paper was received and adopted.
| Personal.
Rev. f. L. Reid, editor Of the Christian
Advocate, of Raleigh, n. c., and Rev. w.
X. Boyle, OF the Baltimore Conference,
were introduced by Bishop Pierce to the
Conference.
Rev. Moses ID. Hoge, ID. d., OF the Sec
ond PRESBYTERIAN church.: Rev. Mr..