Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-04-01
southern Methodtsts.

Hargroye presiding. Bishop Gran6ery aiSo
present. The preachers, lay delegates and
members of various boards and visitors
numbered about 300. Rev J. E Armstrong
was again elected secretary. Rev. J.
P. Stump is one of the assistant secretaries.
Dr. H. r. Moore was put upon the Epworth
League committee, and H. T. Miley on COM
mittee on Sunday schools. There was not
a death during the year, therefore there was
no committee on memoirs appointed. The
Conference took up collection amounting
to 5000 as a nucleus for building funds Tor
two churches among the Indians-the
churches to be named in honor of late dis
tinguished members of the Conference
Reys. Drs. Martin and REGISTER. A gift
from Mr.. George NJ. Jones, Of Lynchburg,
and other citizens, amounting to $4,000
for addition to Woman's College at Lynch
burg-was accepted.
The second day President II. p Hamill,
of Wesleyan Female Institute, made his re-
port upon the conditions of that institution
and expressed confidence in its ability get
safely through its present embarrassments
if the right spirit of cooperation is shown
by members of the Conference and of the
church. Mr.. Hamill said gin view Of its
past usefulness, its favorable location and
present importance as factor of the work
of the church the school has right to live.
A very complimentary report upon the con-
dtion of the Valley Female Institute was
read by Rev. J. P. Stump, of the committee
appointed to visit the college. This was
also referred to the board of education.
One of the pathetic little incidents which
now and then crop up in a Conference SEES
sion occurred when che characters of the
superannuated preachers were being passed.
When the name of Rev. J. w. Tongue was
called he arose and in faltering voice ex-
pressed his love for his brethren in the min
istry and said he did not expect to attend
conference another year. He had closed
his seventy fifth year he said, fifty-six of
which he had spent in the ministry. He
felt that he was worn out, that his life was
practically at an end and the supreme mo-
ment was not far off He felt that he would
not meet his brethren again on earth, but
expectd to see them all above. When he
sat down a dozen members of the Confer
ence started up the old hymn, Chow sweet
it will be in that beautiful land, so free from
all sorrow and pain" Everybody Joined in
and the hymn was sung by the preachers,
while down the faces of many the tears were
streaming.
The reports of the presiding elders were
most encouraging every particular ex-
hibiting q prosperous and healthy condition
of the numerous churches and charges
Everywhere was manifest material and spir-
itual progress.
On Saturday Bishop Hargrove was indis-
posed and Bishop CRANBERRY presided. The
latter also filed Bishop HIS appointments
on Sunday, and in the morning ordained
the class of seven deacOns. AT night he or
dained a class of eight elders On Saturday
the Conference board of education reported
its inability to devise practical plan by
which the Wesleyan Institute at Stanton
could be continued next session. Unless
something is done promptly to avert it, the
sale of the property will be obligatory on
the receiver into whose hands it has been
placed by the court President Hamil has
courageOusly labOred to save the school to
the church, and would have succeeded if, in
these days, one man could chase a thousand
Rev. J. O. rackett was placed on the SUI
perannuated list. Rev. w. X. Marshall
withdrew from the membership aud minis
TRIP of the NJ i. Church, South, for the pur-
pose OF entering the ministry of the P. Z.
Church, and expects to be confirmed by
Bishop Peterkin on Easter Sunday. For
ten months, without a hint to his presiding
elder or brethren of the Conference, he had
contemplated this step, aud had already be-
fore announcing his intention to the Confer
ence, made arrangements to become assist
ant rector of a church near his late charge.
Mr.. Marshall at one time was preacher in
charge of Jefferson Circuit. Rev. II. c.
Wood, who was also on same circuit a few
years ago, asked to be located, and is now
residing in CalitOrnia-where he is acting
as a supply. On Monday the Wesleyan In
stilute was again brought to the attention
of Conference and special committee, COM
posed OF Rev. II + Hamill and others, APP
pointed to further devise ways and means
for the perpetuation of the school, The
Conference will meet next year in Staunton.
The statistical exhibits for the past Confer
ence year were gratifyiug-an advance all
along The line.
On the last day of the session Revs Ham
IN aad Whi,uer made successful appeals to
the Conference, Co save to the church the
Wesleyan Ftmue destitute, aud the plan of
the special committee was adopted-so that,
where one chased a thousand, two put ten
thousand 10 flight Rev H. p. Hamil was
re appointed TO the presidency Of the school.
Late last night the appointments were an
nOunced We have only time to give the
Winchester District:
J. W. Duffy, Presiding Elder.
Winchester-S X Cox
E-ala-ia1-