Richmond planet., 1896-04-11
METHODISTS MEET.
Bishop Gaines Prcsides.
A LAEGE ATTENDANCE.
Able DisCOurses COMMITTEES Appointed.
VOL. XII. NO. IL.


The Thirtieth Annual Session of the
Virginia Annual Conference of the A.
NJ. Z Church was begun Wednesday,
April Sth at the Third st. A. M. h.
Church, Bishop Wesley J. Gaines, D.
ID. presiding
The devotional exercises were very
impressive after which the Bishop de-
livered most excellent annual ad-
dress as follows:
Members Of the Virginia Annual
Conference, now assembled at the
Third street African Methodist Epis-
copsl Church, Richmond, Va.
ut is with q great deal of pleasure
that / greet you this morning in the
3Oth annual session. We are now al
most at the Ioor of the general confer
eDce which convenes, May 4th at Will
mington, n @ We all no doubt feel
the great responsibility which rests
upon that august body, which will re-
view the proceedings of more than fif-
ty annual conferences that have con-
vened four times during the past four
years.
II congratulate you brethren for the
success which has attended our pre-
vious sessions. L must beg you TO help
me to make this the most pleasant
session &C ell our meetings The se.s-
nual conferences throughout the con-
nections have either increased or held
their own in membership and finance.
1t is my earnest desire that your rec
ord will not be broken in this direc
tion. i believe that we are unit in
this desire, In union there is
strength
From your appearance brethren,
you are enjoy ing good health and
have somewhat overcome the hard
ness of the times. From the reports of
the ministers, the holy spirit has at
tended your services.
while we are here assembled in
Richmond, the capital of the state Of
Virginia, let US endeavor TO make an
impression for righteousness and truth
that statesmen and politicians cannot
gain-say.
The Cuban question has occupied
the attention of the United States
Congress. Both the Senate and House
of Representatives have taken this
question under consideration. be-
heYe that all Christian people should
remember Cuba in their prayers while
it is struggling against oppression. l
cannot see why the Christian Negroes
of the civilized world can keep from
sympathizing with the oppressed peo-
ple of any land knowing what we
have undergone and what we are still
passing through. l say let us pray for
Cuba.
Now let US enter upon our work
with Christ-liEe spirit. l am in sym
pathy with every member of this con-
ference who has done his whole duty
Some of our appointments have been
small and weak, yet we can appreciate
the success Of small work as we'll as
that of large.
"There will be many changes in the
appointments of this conference. A
number of the brethren have served
out four full years. Other changes
will have to be made to make room for
these men. There is no man in this
conference who suffers so much as the
presiding bishop over the re-arrange-
ment of appointments for the minis
ters.
"Our educational work is growing
more important. We cannot afford to
let its interests lag. Fire has just
swept away the girls building at Kit
rell This building must be replaced
at once. We must show our sympathy
for this work by contributing what we
can for the erection of another build.
ing in it's stead.
May harmony, peace and goodwill
characterize our sessions. May every
minister conduct himself in this city
with that propriety and Christian dig
nifty which becomes representatives o.
Christ"
The address of welcome was mad,
by ex-GrAnd Master, w. M I. Forres-
ter is a most felicitous manner.
The committees were appointed.
On public worship, Revs W. r. Gul-
lins, jeremiah Cuffy, A. L. Gaines,
L. Butt, Z. II. Bolden.
On dollar money: W. ii. Hunter
ToLo OFo~ W ~ ThCunoS N-.lo
man.
Missionary money: D. J. Beckett
W. H. Gray, Joseph Duckett.
Finance: w. r. Gullins, J. G.. Will
liams, e. II. Bolden. A. L. Gaines.
Mite missionary money: Peter Shep
herd, A. ]. Nixon, +. w. Overton, A.
White.
Endowment day money: J. Cuffey
]. IL. Garner, j. @. Mackey, j. H. Rob
ms.
Uhildren's day money: A. L. Gaines
Robert Davis, @. A Holmes
Contingent money: Robert Davis
J. Cook, Thaddeus Peden, T.. II. Hun
ter.
Church extension: George D. Jim
merson, w. r. Gullins, Edward Hard
Bible Cause: J E. Blunt, A A. Ma
thews.
Students fund T. r. Sinkfield, J. /
Tynes.
Minutes and money: J. C. Youn
Jacklin Strange, Jeremiah Cuffey.
General Conference delegate money
C. H Hunter, j H Offer, w. K. Gu
Inns.
Publication department: w. R. Gu
lins, E II. Bolden, George William
Robert Armistead.
Sabbath School Report: I. L. But
J. II. Garner, Robert Davis, Jackl
Strange.
Temperance report: ]. B. Hargrav
George D. Jimmersou. George Lee.
H Hunter, A. L Gaines, +. H. Bolde
Educational reports: A. L. Gaint
W. H. Hunter, K. II. Bolden, John
Hawkins.
Validity of deeds: Jacklin Strane
7. r Sinkfield. w. H. Hunter.
Admission: Jacklin Strange, A.
Gaines, J. O Williams, W. X. Gullir
First years class: E. II. Bolden,
r Sinkfeld, W. H. Hunter,