The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-01
FOOTBALL WAS DISCUSSED.
Methodist Conference DisaIproVss The
EYil TENDENCIES Of the tam.
No Important Changes In Richrnond-mr
Barnett, Of Trinity, Goes TO DAi"-
more-AdJourned Sine Die.

DANVII.LE. VA, Nov. 30-Special
fast day of Conference was a very inter
es,ing che in the matter Of debates tn
first subject discussed was football
brought UP by resolutions offered by Kew
A. q. Brown, condemning The manner o.
playing football at the colleges as beint
brutal. dernoraiizing in influence. inja
rious 10 health dangerous 10 limb 81
contestants, and that faculties OF colleges
Under the watcnfil care ana patronage OF
the Methodist Church, be urged to do al
in their power 10 put down football Some
OF the younger ministers, who have just
left COLLEGE defended football, one going
50 far as to ridicule The resolutions, 70
declare the Conf srence about TO make a
ridiculous spectacle Of itself. lie offered q
substitute that n committee be appointed
10 draw I'D a set OF rules to be known as
conference Football Rules" and that
students OF Randolph Macon and other
COLLEGES under the Church be required 10
play by them. Another substitute Judge
Kilby's) modifying the language Of the
original resolutions. and merely expressing
disapproval OF the evil tendencies OF foot
bail, was added.
Thanksgiving Sermon.
Rev. A. Coke Smith read an admirable
report of the Committee on Publishing
Interests. The report urged upon the sun
day-School Committee and publishing
agents at Nashville q better quality and
cheaper rates in the Sunday-school pub
lications. Dr. Brown and others spoke in
opposition 10 the report. and Drs A. Coke
omlth, Peterson, and others in favor. and,
pending a vote, the hour for the Thanks
giving sermon having arrived the vote
was postponed till 8 =. M, by appoint
ment. After singing. and after fervent
prayer by DR.. Whitehead, at II O'Clock
Dr. A. Coke Smith, OF CRANKY Street
church, Norfolk delivered sermon of
rare beauty and elOquence from the text,
9th Psalm, verses / and 2.
'''rhe Lord reigneth, let the earth re-
rejoice" He said: "Q.) God is behind
the law in the material universe, and we
may and ought to pray for material bless
ings consistent with Gods win. o. God
rules In the kingdom of men. No conflict
between Gods sovereignty and mans re-
sponsibility. God controls results but not
motives. The world grows better; there is
no pessimisin in Gods Word CD Gods
plans are often shrouded in mystery. but
he cares so tenderly for us when we know
II not. Can we doubt his love? "a God
is IN the history Of our nation. Consider
the past 400 years: lessons, education
mus. be I'm the hands of Gods Church
we must guard our threatened bome-Iife
AS DR.. Gambler says; Let us turn
some OF our money into boys and girls,
and not our boys and girls into money.
The sermon was the sweetest and most
moving one yet preached at Conference.
AT Its conclusion, Bishop CRANBERRY. as
sisted by Revs. Paul Whitehead. John
j.. Clarke, and G. c. Vanderslice. ordained
Walter ]. Williams as deacon.
Tho hop De . ou
At the afternoon session religious exer-
cises were conducted by Rev. j. b.
Deberry. The Bishop rendered his deci-
sion on several questions OF law pre-
viously submitted TO him. The discussion
of the publishing interests report was
resumed, and several amendments were
offered, but all Of these. except one re-
lating TO the publishing of the review,
were lost and then the report as amended
was adopted.
resolution endorsing Or. Lafertys
movement 10 establish a technical school
at Crozet was adopted
Rev. j. ID. Hank offered a resolution
tadopte0 endorsing the district church
papers In the Conference. The Confer
ence resumed the second clause of the
division question-viz., to request the Cen
eral Conference to allow the Virginia
Conference 10 divide when and as IL
pleases. The matter was laid on the
table.
Rev. James Cannon, Jr., reported from
Committee on Parsonage and Home Mis-
sons Society that the Conference en-
dorse and congratulate the society upon
its work.
DR.. w. e. Edwards announced by choice
of the committee. Rev Richard Fergu-
son with Rev. ID. G.. G. Butts as alter
nate) will preach the opening sermon
at next Conference. and Rev. G.. C.
Vanderslice with Rev. w. ii. Edwards
as alternately Will preach the sermon
before the ordination Of elders.
The three resolutions and the report
OF the Board Of Finance as to the basis
OF assessment of the collections on the
charges. were discussed and on motion
OF Dr. Whitehead, the whole matter was
indefinitely postponed
IN ytn Fund
The report of the Committee on the
Calvin Fund OF the West Virginia Con-
ference reported that this Conference
cannot rightly accept the legacy.
Adopted. Rev. A. Coke Smith reported
from the Committee on the Educational
Work among the Negroes, and recon-
mended the appointment OF the amount
due from the Virginia Conference TO the
several districts and that the presiding
al ~ oh "a ,tnt.x