Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-08
TWO RELIGIOUS BODIES
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lcorrespondence ofthe Richmond Dsrsfch-l
pFTEgsBuRG, August Z, 1883.
Within few miles Of the city. and
on the line Of the Norfolk and Western
railroad, two religious bodies, whose
proceedings are Of more than local az
te,est. have been in session for the past
two OF three days. The Middle Dis
trict Baptist Association met on We'd
nesday at Central church. Dnwidde
county, near Church Roads crossing.
This Association is composed OF lay and
clerical delegates from the Baptist
churches OF Chesterfield, Dinwiddie,
Amelia, Nottoway, and Powhatsn
counties.
The Association was organized By
the election Of Mr.. A.. h. Hancock -
moderator and DR.. S. W. Dorset as
clerk. The address OF welcome was
delivered by Rev. Dr. 7. W. Sydnor.
and the Introductory sermon was
preached by Rev. }. x. Bagby. DIR.
w. K. Vaughan read a report on State
missions. and addresses were delivered
by Rev. DIR. Sydnor, Rev. j. X. Bag
by, II. K. Ellyson. and others.
On Thursday the Association was
orened with devotional exercises con-
Quoted by II. X. Ellyson, assisted by
Rev. J. NJ. Pitcher. Of this city, and
Rev. S. K. Thornhll, Of Manchester.
Rev. 7. A. Reid presented resolu-
tions on temperance and made IN efiec-
tive speech in behalf OF the cause.
Rev. 4. ". Cridlin. Of Portsmouth,
spoke on the same subject. The trus-
tees Of the Ministers Relief Fund re.
ported. through A. ?. Duval, that the
fund now amounts 10 sl0,033.69 IN
bonds, an increase in interest and con-
tributions Of s2,753.0l. Twenty-two
families were supported in part during
the past year. Dr. W. K. Vaughan and
Thomas j. Starke, president Of the
Board Of Trustees. spoke in behalf Of
this a" superannuated fund"
Rev. J A. Barker read a report on the
state Of the churches. The Association
is composed Of twenty-five churches.
| TIE additions 20 the membership have
been 90. The losses IN membership
by letter, death. and other causes were
l70-a net gain in membership OF fifty
seven. The present membership OF the
chuAhes Is 2,450.
Captain +. +. Lockett read a report
on education, giving a review o. the
work done by the Education Board,
which last year had sixty-four students
for the ministry under IT, care.
J. Taylor Ellyson advocated the
work Of the Board, and Captain Lock-
EFT stated that the large increase in the
contribution. 10 the Board was due TO
the liberality Of tie churches IN Man
chester.
+. 4. Hancock spoke IN behalf Of a
young student who was present. and
raised by pledges a sum which will en-
able HIM TO complete ms collegiate
course.
ton on Thursday there was preaching
from a stand which had been erected
near the church. A large excursion
from this city participated in the OUT
door exercises.
The Association met again this morn
Ing, when foreign missions. home mis-
sions, and ministerial support were
considered. The Association then ad-
Journed.
This has been q very satisfactory ses-
sion. and Will be followed by a pro-
matchmaking at Central chuych.
PETERSBURG DIsTRICT CONFERENCE
This body met at Wakefield on We'd
nesdsy. and was called to order by
Rev. George II. Ray, presiding elder
Rev. o. o. Littleton preached the open
ing sermon. On Thursday the day
was consumed in hearing reports from
the different churches composing the
Conference and the election OF dele
gates 10 the next annual session Of the
Virginia Conference, which meets in
this city in November next.
The delegates elected were Msssrs.
J. ". Bradbury and K. 7. Wilson, oI
this city; ". II. Whesry, Of Chester
field county; j. n. Ramey, Of Sarry
county.
To-day the Conference considered TO
ports on Sunday-school work, and
after selecting the place for the mex
meeting. adjourned. The sttendsnc,
was very large, and many persons
were unable to obtain seats IN tn,
church.