Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-18
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE N. E. CHURCH
SOUTH.
THE 10TH SESSION AT ROANOKE, VA.

The 10Th session of the Baltimore Coz
| ference of the M. E. Church South was
commenced on Wednesday morning, the
18th inst, in the Green Memorial Church
in Roanoke city, Va, Bishop Hendrix
presiding.
That the publishing interests of the
Church are growing was shown by the re-
port of Rev. DR.. J. D. Barbee, agent. He
reports that during the year the total bust
ness of the publishipg-house was 1854, O40,
an increase of $S3. 1896 over last years bust
ness. and frem which there is net gain of
$S2, 944. The sum of 81, 175 has been paid
on the $11, $50 worth of outstanding bonds,
leaving $10575, against which there is q
sinking fund of $10,745 and $22, 6s5 IN
cash, books, etc.
The committee have found that increase
in appropriations for conference claimants
is justified, aud they have added s., GOO to
the amount appropriated last year, making
ST, 500 Portion due Baltimore Confer
ence is $7S5 40 They have also increased
the appropriation for Sunday school litera-
ture from $1,000 to $4,000, and have
elected j. L. Kirby assistant Sunday school
editor.
All the presiding elders reported that the
spiritual ard material conditions of their
respective districts were in good shape,
there being 40 great change one way or
another from last year. A number of new
churches have been built, many have been
repaired and several are in course of erec-
ticn.
Rev. Dr.. Potter, secretary of the board
of missions, made an address, and at night
Rev. G. M. Brown preached.
Rev. G. M. Stanton was appointed con-
ference postmaster. Rev. Jas. E. Arm
strong, of Front Royal, was reelected sec
rotary, with J. Watts Shoaff, George Tyler,
Asbury r. Martin, James r. Stump and
William M. Watkins, assistants.
Boards and committees were appointed.
A good part of the time the second day
was taken up in the discussion of the
characters and capabilities of a number of
candidates 70. admission on trial. All were
admitted, although the v3te against the adj
mission of two or three vas strong. The
class consisted of Liowood Hammond,
Frank D. Day, Robert Lee Fultz, Charles
McCamas Carver. John G. Hawk, Samuel
D. Bennington. Archibald G.. Hamill,
Charles w. Stump, Oscar w. Lusby and J.
Howard Wells.
The visiting committee of the Valley
Female College, ut Winchester, reported
ton of young ladies is steadily enlarging its
facilities Tor work and is receiving larger
patronage. The examination gave assur-
ance of thorough and faithful work.
Rev, DR.. William A. Harris, president of
the Wesleyan Female Institute, at Staun-
ton. reported that when the present
scholastic year began the number OF pupils
applying for admission was considerably in
excess Of accommodations 10 order to &C.
commodate all, comfortable rooms away
from the college had to be rented. The
number of pupils enrolled for the present
session is 1876. The number and efficiency
of the board of professors have been materi-
ally increased. and the pupils are making
satisfactory progress. Some indispensable
Improvements have been made ana rooms
added to the baiding at the expense OF the
principal. The greatest need, however,
and one soTely felt, is chapel, which also
should embrace an art gallery, calisthenics
ball, laboratory and library. The institute
has paid for its present buildings. outfits
and improvements, has paid the interest on
it's large debt, has paid an embarrassing
debt Cd account of the old institute, has
met it's own expenses and has maintained a
large faculty. The time has now come
when the conference should take some de-
csive action in regard to the school, for in
this progressive age it cannot be expected
to compete with other colleges which pos
sess the important facilities 1t lacks.
The report of the WOman's Missionary
Society of the conference stated that there
are ninety adult aud juvenile auxiliaries,
an increase of three duriug the past year.
Lack of means prevents the society from
prosecuting the work of extension as Wig
orously as the stu ation demands, and it is
certain tlat at many points there would be
fourishing suxlliaries were organizations
effected.
The statistical report showed that there
are 2, 451 members of auxiliary aud Junior
societies, with contributions of So, 691.45.
Ga the SD day, Mrs. Wiley, with voice
trembling with emotion, and with arms
outstretched, add ,essed the Conference,
pleading for decent homes for Methodist
preachers in the far West.
Mrs, E. E. Wiley, president of the
Parsonage and Home Missionary Society,
can Claim without fear of contradiction that
she was the first woman to formally ad-
dress The Baltimore Conference at its regu-
| lar business session. Her impassiOned
speech, her earnest manner and her en-
th1siasm, triumphing over woman's
natural Nudity, captlvated the conference.
Acting 3. once on the suggestion of Rev.
| William G. Eggleston, the Oldest member
present, a collection of 5000 was quickly
given her for the cause she represents, not
withstand ng the fact that a large collection
had been given for church exte26i0n