The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-27

misteu an excellent report of his work
during the year. His examination waa
approved and he WAS continued ON trial.
Ihe nsmea OF ii. II. Sherman, d pro-
lessor In Randolph-Macon College at
Front Royal. J.. j. Ringer and Geo. a.
Ecnols' n. 2. Weikle, Chas. L. Potter
ana onss. 4. Moore were also reported
ievofapiy and their examinations ap-
proved, AL OF them were continued on
sfiei' wien the exception Of g. T. Jones,
who Was discontinued.
The examination committee renorted
In most favorable manaer on ali the
examinations.
Theclssees Of the second and third
years were called but the committee on
exaninations not being ready to report
shey were continued until to-day.
During the report of Rev. Geo, 81,
Echols on the formation of Epworth
Leagues In sparsely settled districts
b!enop hargrove remarked that he
wished there WAS young lady to 90
with every young man who would be-
come interested In the formation of the
leagues. He thought II proper to utilize
nature to its utmost extent in building
up the cause of God. (Laughter.)
Question twenty was again called,
ana Rev. ]. s. Hutchinson, Of the Balti-
more district, responded. He reported
In his district during the year that peace
and harmony had prevailed ON every
hand. There had been 545 conversions,
All acceasions to the church, 3e4 infant
baptisms, and So, 037 had been raised for
foreign missions, over $40. 900 Tor build
ing ana improvements in church prom
erty.-
REV. J. e. Armstrong. presidino
elder Of the East Baltimore district. re,
ported that his people had suffered
greatly from the unprecedented finsn.
cial depression which prevailed on the
Eastern shore. 1t was not so bad north
OF Baltimore, as the people were in bet.
ser circumstances. He also reported
that the preachers had suffered seri-
ously owing to their health and the
health OF their families, many Of whom
are now cast down with sorrow and
trouble on account of serious illness in
their families. However, some greatly
needed repairs had been done and paid
for and several new parsonages built.
The Woman's Parsonage and Home
Missionary Society had lent great aid
in shis work throughout the district.
Rev. Rumsey Smithson, presiding
elder OF the Washington district, re-
ported that the work had advanced dur
ing the year all along the line. Collec-
lions were better throughout his dis
trict than heretofore, and the Epworth
League had been organized all over the
district. He found that in some places
1t confiicted with the Christian En-
deavor Society. The work, on the
whole, was in fair condition in every
respect. The district WAS we'll supplied
with churches, with the single excep-
zion OF Washington city, where there
are only three. He said that more were
needed there, as the Southern Mesho-
dist children were compelled to attend
other Sunday-schools, which was detri-
mental to the cause and influence of
Southern Methodtsm. During his re-.
port the question of insurance Of church
property came up. 1t WAS learned that
nearly all the churches in the confer
ence are insured.
The bishop took occasion to remark
that 1t should be the policysof the con-
ference not TO extend any assistance to
churches that should happen to burn
down without being insured.
Kew. David Bush, presiding elder of
the Winchester district, said that q very
gratifying state OF affairs existed among
his people, both materially and spirit
ually. During the year they had built
three churches at o cost of $500, TWO
psrsonages at o cost OF S., 500 and had
built ndditions to church property to
the amount of $4,000. Eight churches
had been built in the district during his
four years administration at an agRrs-
gate cost of $2S, 900. The number Of
conversions during the past year we've
66l. The increase OF membership 376.
The increase for four years was 1904
and the total membership Is 7,OS9. He
also reported that considerable interest
was manifested in the Epworth League
movement.
Rev. P. II. Whisner, presiding elder
OF the Rockingham district, reported
that the work had gone on regularly
during the year. and with remarkable
success In some places. At Bridgewster
there had been $50 conversions, and ct
Shenandoah 100 additions to the church.
decided increase had been experienced
as New Market. There had been over
700 conversions, with net increase In
the church OF over 800. Two pArsonages
had been built in the weakest appoint
ments of the district. Some church
building was going on. Two had been
built in the Port Republic circuit, and
one on the West Augusta circuis.
At this juncture Rev. DR.. Whaling.
who has recently been transferred from
the Northwest Texas conference, was
introduced by Bishop Hargrove. He
was received by the conference rising.
Rev. b. E. Ball, presiding elder of
the Roanoke district, reported that re-
markable progress had been made in
the district and that 1t was due In O
large measure to Methodism in this
city, which is probably due to the for
nation of large and strong societies
here. The cream of q great many Or
cults, and of our own, have found
Judgment In this city. We have some
choice spirits which came here and To-
n tod In tho