National Republican., 1883-03-10
METHODIST MINISTER'S.
Proceedings Of the Annual Conference at
Winchester,
Sabbath ObservRnces-Tbe Sunday School
Anniversary Proceedings.
Snecidl Dispateh.

SpfCim IleDdtcN.
WINCHESTER, VA, Mar. 9.-The confer
encc, after tho usual religious exercises, had
the minutes read, which were adopted. The
Rev. Thomas Myers requested that his rela-
tion be changed from effective to super.
numcrary, which was granted.
The Rev. j. B. Stitt presented tho report of
the Woman's Foreign Missionary society. 1t
recognized the deeds Of kindness and words
Of helpfulness from the members of the con-
ference. The amount raised was $4,63O.6O,
which was an advance over last year. This
society Is becoming factor of such import
ancc in the work of saving the hcathtn thatit
cannot bo ignored under any circumstances,
and those who formerly were indifferent to 1t
arc now It's strongest supporters.
The report on temperance was presented
and read The outlook of the cause at this
hour Is encouraging, The growing sentiment,
which has already given local option laws to
n large portion of territory, cannot be over
valued. 1t Is evident that prohibition will
bo eventually secured either by local option
or by an amendment to the constitution.
Our opposition is as ever pronounced and un-
yielding against the sale and traffic in intoxi-
eating liquors. That we heartily indorse the
local Optior movement, and viii tearlessly
and faithfully enforce the discipline or the
subject of temperance. That we indorse the
MARYLAND Ssrte Temperance Alliance and the
Woman's Christian Temperance union as
most influential organizations, worthy OF the
fullest cooperation and support of our people,
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
The committee on sabbath observance re-
ported, first:
Whereas the Sabbath commemorates the res
direction Of Christ from the dead, suggests fu'
unity for ri The Ell instruction of ali thines moral and
spiritual subserve, In the highest degree the vel
fare of the community and nation and ..,, :.
Whereas few public teachers aro found TO
agree In favor of its lax observance, number OF
proiesscd Christ ans seem TO have little or no con.
science concerning its sanctity, aud multitudes
openly violate its holiness In pleasure or proht
therefore, go a.,
efforts to maintain its observance, both as q d.
vine and civil institution
Resolved, That we will, as a body Of ministers,
set pure example, and with increasing earnest
ness enforce the teaching Of the Bible on this sub
Reso,red, That we condemn the carrying and
by steam or horses; publishing, buying or read.
Ing ocular newspapers, and all other infractOns
ofGod's holy lime as des rlbed in the moral law,
Remember the Sabl ath day TO keep II holy"
Resolved, That we express again our unqualified
condemnation of all camp meeting assoc atons
which agree TO receive rebate from railroad sun
day travel.
The following resolution was substituted for
the last one of the report:
RESOLVED, That we express our unqualified con-
demnation of all camp meeting associations
which agree to receive rebate from railroad sun.
day travel, and urge our people and preachers to
disrountenance oil camp meetings that continue
such practices.
The report was then adopted.
The Rev. J. NJ. Freeman, the assistant cor
responding secretary of tho Sunday School
union, addressed tho conference on the sub
iect Of tracts, their circulation, and the effect
of such distribution upon the probationeTs
and members of the church If properly done.
The Rev. DIR. S. NJ. Hunt, member Of the
book concern at New York, addressed the
conference, and showed that the Sunday
school papers were as cheap and cheaper than
tho most of the Sunday school literature pub
lishcd. He stated at length that reduction
of price was reduction of grade and the pro.
ducing of infefior papers.
Rev. Job Price stated that he knew oi
prominent Sunday schools that used the pub
lications of other publishing houses than oui
own, and that he was almost tired of trying Il
counteract the disposition Of introducing for.
eign cheap lesson helps and aids
Report was made on tho Kelso home, which
ia designed to accommodate the orphans o
Methodist parcntage, and represented 1t in q
prosperous condition. Rev. f. D. Owen, D.D,
Rev. A. NJ Courtenay, B. II. Parlet, and
George w. Conner were appointed by tn,
bishop as advisory members of the board o
managers.
Rev. DIR. Lanahan presented report, on re.
ducing the number of presiding elders dis
tricts from five to four, giving facts in regar,
to other conferences where the appointment
numbered moCc than our own when IL is di
vided into four districts. Revs DR.. Reilley
]. N. Davis, T. Myers, DR.. A. II. Ames, l., M
Gardner ID. B. Winstead Drs. j. II. Dashiell
A. j. Gill, d. II. Carroll, and W
]. McKenny, Joel Brown, IL. M
Nice, aud c. II. Richardson discussed tn
question pro and con, and on motion Of Rev
G. II. Richardson the whole question of tn
reduction of the districts was referred TO tn
godly Judgment of the bishop.
A resolution in regard TO tho bequest @
$4,000 of John Gorsuch, the interest Of whicl
was to be given to the worn out preachers AM
widows, is now in peril, one of the hcirs thy
ing to nullify the bequest, and the Preachers
Aid society was requested to assume the dc
fense, was adopted.
The fourth-year class filed protest agains
written examination on Buffers analogy
The protest created considerable discussion
Rev. ]. p. Wright, VIII proposed writer
examination, defended it on the ground tha
it will eventuate in higher standard OF at
tainmonts.
The Rev. DR.. Reilley also approved of II
and stated there was no class upon which
could be better tried.
A resolution was offered as substitute 70
the motion that they be excused from writ
ten examination, ana tnaJ Ihey nc allowed
pass an oral examination, and hereafter tn
conference adopt n uniform method of ex
amining all the candidates of the course Q
study, which was adopted, and n committed
consisting of the Revs DIR. Dashiell DIR. Reilly
and Job Price, was appointed to carry out tn
object. Revs Mr. Hilton, of Colorado; MI
James Mr.. Denny, and Mr.. Gilbert were In
troduced to the conference.
The memorial services of those who die
last year, viz, Mrs. Boggs, wife of Rev. i
Boggs, and the Rev. L. 5. Forte, were tixe
for Monday, at liza. m.
The anniversary of the missionary Of tn
Methodist Episcopal church was held las
evening March o., and Bishop IL. II, Ware
presided Able and appropriate address,
were delivered by the Revs. S, II. Dashiell, l
D., aud A. NJ. Courteney,
After the usual notices were given the col
ference adjourned,
P.S.-The Rev w. S. Edwards, it is though
will be sent to Mex rdree, Rev. Joel Brow
TO Grace, and Rev. Mchendree Hammack
Bladcnsbug, Nd.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNGvERsARY.
The exercises were introduced by singh
the hymn 0l9, Jesus shall reign wheTev'
the sun" &C., and prayer by Rev. H. X. Ma.
lor, ID, ID. After singing BY Cool Sloan
Shady Rill," the Rev A. II. Ames, d, L
president Of the conference branch of this S
ciety, made some appropriate remarks,
which he said he was quite sure that the
was no more important work than that of Il
sunday school, or that of morally moldiI
the hearts of the children of the church al
the community.