Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-10
Proceedings of the Southern Conference of
the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of NIr-
glnla and of the Sunday School COnyen-
tiOn in Connection Herewith.

Slnla and of the Sunday School COnyen-
ton In Connection Herewith.
For the SPECTATOR.
The Conference met at Salem church,
Augusta county, May 27th, 1885. This
body is composed of ministers of Virginia
within designated boundary, and lay
delegates as representatives from the
churches they serve, associated together
IN order to strengthen the bond of affec-
tion. sympathy, and confidence between
ministers and members of the same
household of faith; to give their pastoral
experience and talk of the condition of the
church; to awaken spirit of investigation
by discussing questions of doctrine, duty,
or experience; to disseminate correct knowl-
edge as to the doctrines, usages, and gov
ernment of the church; and to cooperate
in some practical way in building up the
interests of Christ's kingdom. Hence the
design of this body is to look after the
spiritual or internal welfare of the church,
rather than to attend to the external. The
following brethren were present: .Revs.
Barb, Beard, Lee, S. A. Repass, D. D.,
Long, ShrecIhise, and Stickey, and Messrs.
S. H. Grove, J. A. Houff. D. w. Lands,
T. J. Link, ]. W. Brown, D. Rusmiselle,
and N. C. Watts.
The officers of the last Conference were
reelected, namely: Rev. S. A. Repass, d.
D., President Rev. ]. NJ. Shreckhise, Sec
retary; and Rev. J. Fl. Barb, Treasurer.
The first day was principally occupied in
hearing reports on the state of religion
from pastors, and which brought to light
the fact that quite an accession had been
made to the membership of the churches
within the bounds of the Conference as the
result of special protracted effort, cate
chetical instruction, and the faithful pre-
sentation of divine truth from Sabbath to
Sabbath. The following questions were
discussed by all the clerical members pres
ent, after the first was opened by Rev. j.
H. Barb and the second by Rev. Dr. Re-
pass by well-prepared papers, viz, "Con-
firmation' and "What is the Scriptural
Teaching in the Doctrine of Election"
Arrangements were made, looking to the
supply Of Harrisonburg Bethany in Pas
lures, and Almo, and preaching until next
meeting of Synod. These two questions
were selected for next meeting of Confer
ence: "What is the Effect of the Faithful
Presentation of Divine Truth upon the
Mind and Hearth" and "The Central Doc
trines of the Lutheran Church (Justifca-
ton by Faith, Person of Christ, Baptism,
and the Lords Supper.") The former to
be opened by Rev. G. Beard and the latter
by Rev. ]. II. Barb
The Lutheran Home magazine was re-
commended to the church as publication
worthy of their support.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.
The last day of Conference was spent as
Sunday School Convention. The follow
ing persons were enrolled, in addition to
the clerical and lay members of Conference
mentioned above, as members of Sunday
School Convention, viz: A. H. Towber-
man, DR.. R. F. Davis, James Phillips, T.
E. Houff, W. Lands, W. Slower; J. H.
Wheelberger, and S. Cook, Mr.. S. T. Nc
Kee and Mr.. - Sheets, Superintendents
of neighboring Sunday Schools, were re-
ceived as advisory members. Time was
found during the day for the discussion of
only two Of number of questions laid out
for consideration: ''The Value of the Need
of well Trained and Consecrated Teachers"
and "The Relation of the Sunday School
to the Congregation The discussion was
enriched and enjoyed from the fact that so
many of the laity took such an active part
in presenting their views upon Sunday
School work. The general report offered
by DR.. R. F. Davis, who had been appoint
ed to tabulate the individual reports
showed the attendance of several hundred
children and teachers Though quite num-
ber Of schools furnished no reports) and
taught the fact that "Sunday Schools are
an efficient part of our church work, but
could and should be made more efficient by
the hearty cooperation on the part of pa
rents with teachers and pastors"
Though it iained almost incessantly
during the three days, the attendance was
commendable, and we believe much was
done and said to quicken both ministers
and laity in the future discharge of duty to
their church and the children Of the church.
The hospitality of the congregation was
generous, for which thanks were returned.
Next Conference and Convention will be
held at Middlebrook, Augusta county, in
October next. J. NJ. S., Sec.
In AN INDIAN MoUND.-A dispatch
from Homer, Ohio, says one of the most i'm
portant discoveries of the many made in
that prolific field of Indian mounds was
made near there on Monday. Beneath a
small mound, at five feet below the normal
surface, five gigantic skeletons, with their
feet to the east, were found in grave with
a stone floor. Remnants of burned bones
and charcoal were plentiful, together with
numerous stone vessels and weapons. The
skeletons are of enormous size, the head of
one being the size of wooden bucket
The most striking articles besides the skel-
eton was a beautifully finished stone pipe,
the bowl being large and polished and en-
graved with considerable care in simple
way, with figures of birds and beasts a
knife shaped like sickle reversed and hav-
ing a wooden handle held by leather thongs,
and a kettle holding perhaps six quarts
Those who know say this find is one of the
Oldest in America and perhaps the most
valuable.