The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-31
WORK OF METH0DlSTS
Ssesnt Days Session siths Portsmouth Dis
,trlGi Conferences at GhurchIand.
AN EAGouRAGING FINANCIAL REPORT
The CaIl er tho CherEes WAS Cen.
Guided YesterdHy-R oscate Reports
from Many Observation-Disclosures
sornon Preached by Rev. Mr.
Bnushaanan-AFtern Session.

The second days session Of the Ports
mouth District M. e. Conference was
called to order at Centenary Church,
Churchland at $50 o'clock yesterday
morning, by Rev. ]. H. Amiss, presiding
elder.
At the hour OF opening q majority OF
the delegates and ministers were in
their seats. Incoming trains brought In
numbers of vistters and together with
the attendance from the surrounding
country. the pretty little church where
the conference Is In session, was soon
filed.
At the conclusion of the religious SER
vices incident ito the opening, q report
was received from the pastor OF Boy
kin's Circuit.
sumed. but owing to the absence Of
several pastors, 1T was suspended to
hear the report of the Finance Corn
mtHee, which was as follows:
your Committee on Finance has lis
tened with pleasure. mingled with sur
prise, to the reports from the charges
In SO far as the same relate to finances.
I'm year of general business de-
preston, and with special causes which
unfaVorably affect the interests of the
portsmouth district. we might have
looked for very discouraging reports
notwithstanding large majority Of the
charges have reported their finances in
good conditions few report an improve
ment as compared with their condition
this time last year. very small num-
Der say they are a little behind last
year and all speak hopefully.
Your committee feel great diffidence
In venturing to MAX suggestions as to
methods to the experienced pastors and
laymen who compose the conference,
whose practical wisdom is doubtless
equal to ours, and of which their favora.-
BILE reports may be accepted as the
proof; In general way we suggest
that In the work of the church societies
and for pastoral support the best results
will always be obtained by thorough
organization and the systematic and
regular collection of small amounts
either weekly or monthly; no one has
ever improved upon the apostolic dircc-
ton: "on the first day of the week let
everyone lay by him as God hath in
spired him." In connection with the
collections ordered by the annual con-
ference we suggest that in stations. at
least some advantage may be taken of
enthusiasm begotten in connection with
special seasons of the year, as, for in
stance. the subject of missions on Eas-
ter Sunday, etc, but whatever business
methods may be adopted it is vitality
necessary that our people should learn
this great lesson, they are not the own
ers of the things they possess. but are
only stewards of Gods manifold bounty;
that they do but offer to him the things
that are his own, and are never SO
highly honored as when they are per-
mitted to sustain the work and institu-
lions of his church and to feel the pres
sure of it's burdens upon their own
shoulders"
This report was discussed by Revs.
L. H Betty, c. G. Wertenbaker, and
Delegates Folke, Turner, and Toppin.
The latter gentleman held that the
minister should win the personal friend
ship of every member of his charge, and
20 awaken in them an interest in his
work in order to make the offerings
good.
Mr.. Betty disagreed with the delegate,
get the people on Chris;'s side.
Mr.. Folke took the ground that the
standard of Offering should not be the
love between preacher and consresa-
ton. The offerings are not given to the
prea cher. but they are due to the Church
OF God.
Rev. Mr.. Baum stated that while at
West End, Hampton, his salary was
paid weekly, because every member con-
tributed something.
Delegate Townsend, of Portsmouth
took occasion TO allude TO the evil OF
baseball. which he characterized as an
enemy of the church. Delegate CARTS
also had something to say on the subject
claiming that If church cnember contrib
uted as much 10 their church as TO base
bail all deficits would be met
The report on finance was adopttd ID,
after which Rev. w. V. Bargeman, of
Fox Hill. made a report of his charge
showing it's spiritual condition to be ex-
celleni. He regretted thl lack of young
men on his rolls. The financial cend!-
tion is excellent. He has Sunday school