Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-17
BalGInufs Conference /.
Methods. llsl,l!| GAa'.a sMIA.
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND SESSION.

ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND SESSION.
| First Day.
The one hundred and second session lol
the Baltimore Conference, Methodist Epis
copal Church South, was commenced in thii
city Wednesday, March 10th, 13s6-BishoI
Holland N. McTyeire of Nashville, Tenn,
1 presiding. Bishop A. W. Wilson, of Balti-
more, is also present, and at intervals oc.
cupies the chair.
| The Conference room is the Methodist
church, and before the hour of opening it
contained a large portion of the members
and many spectators. Nine O clock had been
fixed as the hour for opening, and promptly
at that hour the Bishop called to order. He
gave out the hymn commencing "And are
we yet alive?" which ended, he offered an
impressive prayer and followed with read
ing the scriptures and commenting on the
text. Then, after singing another hymn,
| s'Try US, o God," Rev. John S. Martin,
D. D., Secretary, called the roll of mem
bers, when many more than sufficient for a
! quorum answered.
DR.. Martin was, by one voice, re. elected
Secretary, with authority to choose his as
sistants which he named as follows: Revs.
j. G. Armstrong, G. T. Tylor, A. R. Mar,
tin, and W. W. Bond, his staff of former
years, who at once entered upon their re-
spective divisions of duties and carryed for
ward the work with speed and regularity.
The Conference agreed to establish 81
A. NJ. for commencing, and II! P. M. for
closing the daily sessions.
Commit ees.-The Committees were then
announced, several of them remaining as
last year, and others with alterations. The
Committee on Public Worship was, Revs.
J. G. Dice and J. s. Gardner, and C. W.
Hunter and Reeves Gait.
Communications. communication from
Shepherdstown Circuit, opposing any
change of boundaries, was read.
The Woman's Missionary Society report
ed the organization of eleven new lodges,
and favorable outlook for the future
The report also contained touching trib-
ute to, the memory of Mrs. Rodgers, who
died during the year
A communication was read from the
Commissioner of Education, calling atten-
tion to the Paype Institute, of Georgia, for
the education of colored ministers. 1t was
stated that donation of $25, 200 had been
received, and that SIS, 900 more was 1e-
qui.ed to complete the necessary fund.-
That amount had been apportioned between
the various conferences, and the contribu-
tion of the Baltimore Conference was ez-
pected to be $3.50.
special committee, composed of Dr..
Head and Messrs. Chalmers and Figgatt,
was appointed to report on the subject.
Superdnnuated.-The characters of the
following superannuated ministers passed:
Revs. A. A. Eskridge, F. M. Mills, David
Thomas, Thos. Hildebrand, Geo. Steven
son, H. Hoffman, F. H. Richey, J. W.
Tongue, J. N. Grandin, G. Mauzy, E. L.
Kregloe, NJ. G. Balthis, A. Boone. W. c..
Maloy, A. Roby, William Hedges.
Supernumeraries.- The characters of the
following supernumeraries passed.: E. F.
Hedrick, W. T. G1in, L. H. Crenshaw, J.
J.lEngle, J. W. Boteler, j. Beatty, A. P.
Boude, P. Sixeas, J. N. Hank, J N. Spang-
Ter, A. R. Martin, G.. r. Jefferson.
Reports from the Districts. reports
from Districts we're then read, approving
the character and work of the Presiding
Elders.
The Rockingham District, Rev. J. c.
Dice, Presiding Elder, is as follows:-
The conversions number 507, against 700
in '95 and Cos in 'S4-an aggregate of 1900
in three years. A large per cent. of the
converts have been added to the church
At Harrisonburg out of 80 conversions there
were 10 accessions, and this proportion
holds good throughout the district. Our
people love Methodism, especially the new
ly converted, who take peculiar delight in
being welcomed to the household of the
church. Four churches have been dedicated,
two of fwhich-Parnassus aud Mt. Jackson
are beautiful structures The other new
churches are at Spring Creek and Bridge
water. The StauntOn church has also been
handsomely refitted. A special mention is
due the Bridgewater circuit for the good
work. that has been done there. Nine
churches have been dedicated in three years.
Crabbottom has new parsonage and other
parsOnages have been neatly improved. The
preachers salaries have been fairly kept up,
but the Conference collections have not
been as prompt. The Sunday School work
has prospered and the district Conference
was an occasion of interest.
From the Roanoke District, Rev. G. Fl.
Zimmerman, Presiding Elder, the following
report was made:-
Two preachers have been removed, one,
Rev. Torreyson, by death, aud the other,
Rev. Strother by disability. Notwithstand-
ing this the work has progressed. $50 con-
versions have been made but not all of them
were added to the church. Especial care
has been given to the investigation of the
titles to church property. Three new
churches have been dedicated, one parson-
age erected and another provided for. Our
finances are about as last year, but larger
assessments have been made by Conference
The District Conference was season ol
grace.
The Lewisburg District, of which Rev. D.
Bush is the Presiding Elder, makes the fol
lowing report
The condition of the District is generally
prosperous, notwithstanding the stringen.
cy OF the times operates with peculiar harsh
ness upon the people, who for the most part
are agriculturists. One new church has
been erected and two more provided for
A parsonage has been completed. The
salaries of the preachers have been prompt.
ly paid, bnt the Conference collections are
behind. Peace and harmony have prevail.
cd and the outlook is encouraging. SOC
conversions have been made, nearly all OF
whom have joined the church. The Dis.
trict Conference was success, and the Sun
day School work is encouraging and i'm
proving.
The hour of adjournment having arrived,
the days session was closed with the doxol
ogy and benediction by Bishop Wilson.
Second Day, March 1lth.
BISHOP McTYEIRE PRESIDING.
Tho second days session was opened by