Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-21
CLERGY In SESSION.
SPRING CONFERENCE OF THE
JAMEs-RIvER CONvoCATrON.
Three MEETINGS Held Yesterday-The
Parochial experimentation a. to
Results from RevivaIs-Country
Parishes md Diocesan Work.


Convocation was begun at 10 o'clock yes
terday morning at the Church Of the
Holy Trinity, and was quite largely at
tended. Nearly all the Episcopal minis
tiers OF the city were present, and sevs-
raj visiting clergymen were In attendance.
The devotional meeting for the clergy.
was followed by religious services and
holy communion at II O'Clock. At the
close OF these services luncheon was
served by the ladies' OF the congregation
In the lecture-rooms.
After this intermission the business ses-
sion was opened In the chapel. with Rev.
j. j. Gravatt. the president, in the chair,
while Rev. NJ. Joharten, of Powhatan.
recorded.
Rev. j. X. Mason. chairman OF the
Committee on Associations, reported as TO
the associations held since the last ses-
sion of the convention in the variou,
country parishes.
Rev. l.. X. Mason, chairman OF the
committee on Questions, submitted two
subjects. from which the following was
selected for the essay at the next session
OF the convention: Pastoral Visiting;
How to BE Conducted with Profit 10 the
Pastor and People" Rev. George G. Ao-
bitt was selected to read the essay.
Rev. Mr.. Abbitt presented tine trea.
surers report showing that the receipts
since April 70, 1884, were sl46.57. while
the expenses amounted to s1fl6S. leaving
balance on hand Of $3.50
Rev. Il. a. Goodwin, chairman OF the
Committee on Parish Reports, submitted
the papers presented to him from the
various parishes. which showed the condi-
ton OF the churches.
At the request of Rev. s. S. Hepburn,
| 1t was decided that the fall session OF
the convocation be held in one of the
| two churches of his parish. the time to
be fixed by him and the Executive Com
| mittee.
THE REVIVAL WORK.
A short recess was then taken. and al
$50 T. NJ. Rev f. II. Stickney read his
essay on "rhe Revival Work as 1t Is
| Conducted; Is II Productive of Good Re
sultsY' The speaker started out by say
/ ing that the reader of the Bible would
| find nothing wrong in the revival idea
Some people could not be reached ex
| cept through their emotional fact that
| had almost been forgotten by the Epis
| copal Church. He thought revivals were
| necessary while there were careless and
unconverted souls and with due prepare
| ton and earnest efforts they would bring
| forth good results.
During a general discussion which fol
lowed Rev. J. X. Mason thought that II
| revival meant only the stirring up Of
the people by sensational sermons tn,
| result was a questionable one. on tn,
| other hand. revivals took place In tn'
! Episcopal Church every Lent and. IN
fact. every Sunday. when the minister!
| endeavored 10 erect renewed interest IN
those who had become more or less In
different Rev. DR.. bowman said h.
had never seen much lasting good result
from revivals. and. in his opinion. tn,
everyday preaching OF the Gospel wa
| OF greater advantage.
Some further discussion followed upoi
the topic.
THE NIGHT SERVICE.
The night service Of the convocatiol
commenced promptly at O'Clock. ant
was conducted by Bishop Newton. Ii
the chancel were Rev. DR. Pike Powers
! Rev. Mr.. Gravatt. rector Of the Churc
OF the Holy Trinity and Rev. Mr.. Hep
burn. OF Hanover. In the audience. whc
was small there were several other min
| listers. Bishop Newton introduced Rev
| Mr.. Hepburn. who delivered very in
| teres;ing and instructive address on IN
difficulties and Advantages of Countr
| Work" That minister said that the diff
/ culties tho country minister labored unde
were many He said that his parish EN-
braced four counties, representing
eighteen churches. He had the supervision
of six churches, and two of them h
| visited twice month, while he could onl,
get to the others once a month. The frs
! foundation laid in the country churche
| haH =, he obi
| toward the city ever since the war. IN
/ speaker said that there were too man
denominations in the rural districts, an
that there was a lack OF reputation
among the preachers in these sections
The country people. he declared, were a
liberal as the city folk, but did not hav
the money to give TO church-work. II
spoke at length upon the advantages o
| the country-work. pointing out its in
fiuences upon that element in civilization
The Episcopal Church, he asserted. wa
an educator. and was, therefore, a grea
benefit to those living in the rural sec
tions.
Rev. Dr. Pike Powers delivered a tai
upon diocesan mission-wOrk. and CAV
his hearers some interesting facts in thi
connection He said that in the year is
the ten churches Of Richmond gave les
| IMAM TWO thOuSdnu dollars 10 tnlS worn
as compared to the sum Of &, COO given IN
previous year. DR.. Powers stated that =
James church, here, usually donated III
largest sum to this cause. but that las
year its contribution was sl72 less tina
during the preceding year He said tina
according TO an estimate made by hin
the average contribution in 1894 was aboU
| 66 % cents a communicate in Richmond
| He urged the Importance OF encouragin
this work in the diocese. The servic
closed with a prayer by the Assistant
Bishop.