The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-01
NARROWER TEMPERANCE
A uyeIf Wransls at the Portsmouth Dis
trict Conference on Yesterday.
WANT 10 POLITICAL EATAAGLeHEA1s,
The Conference Has an IatcrestinE
a.ast Days Session Many Commit.
eussed- Sermon by Rev. l.. III. Betty
The Delegates leave for Home,

the DcSsgotea Leave LOT home
The third days session Of the Ports
mouth District Methodist Conference
convened at Centenary Church, Church
land, yesterday morning at $3.50 o'clock.
The religious services incident to the
opening Were conducted by Rev. l.. b.
Betty. of Monumental Church, Ports
mouth.
The attendance at the opening OF the
business session WAS quite small, most
of the lay delegates having gone home.
The weather was the most agreeable OF
the session.
The fint order of business was the
nenewal of local preachers licenses.
The following ministers had their Ii
censes renewed: Revs. -. II. Owens,
S. J. Batin, w. W. Topping.
The Conference unanimously recon-
mended for ordination as deacon Rev.
S. J. Battin.
The report Of the Committee on Cir
| cult Boundaries was made by Rev Mr..
Austin. II was a follows:
The only two cases before us for
change OF boundaries weie Hampton and
West End, and Southampton circuit.
I'm the first, that of Hampton and
I West End. West End requests to be set
on 10 herself as a self-support.ng sta
tion, which your committee unhes!tatins-
/ ~ recommends. In the case of South
ampton circuit. the change asked for is
to place Franklin. CORTLAND, Trinity and
Notoway in one circuit and Cap:on,
Applewhite and two other preaching
places without church buildings, but un-
der the supervision of the present preach
er in charge, be formed into q circuit
by same of Capron's circuit, which III O.
posed change your committee recon-
mends."
MIR. Parker opposed the rport stating
| that the change would wipe out much
Of the paying ability of the new cir
cults.
The Presiding Elder stated that this
was the very point the Bishop would
consider.
Rev. w. H. Edwards thought the time
inopportune for the change.
Mr.. Parker stated that in the absence
OF those most interested he should ask
that the report be adopted. as the action
was not final.
NcN. Mr.. Lambeth opposed the report.
| Inc repor; was adopted with the ex-
cep'ion OF That part creating Capron
| Circuit.
Rev. Mr.. Thomas, chairman Of the
| committee on Temperance, submitted
report strongly cordemning The liuuor
Uahlc' ana commencing the work of the
sons ana daughters of temperance I'VE
MAKE no compromise with the devil
or MS agents, the report says. I'VE
plead neither high license nor low wa
demand the suppression of The damn
anle trafhc.' 1t further pledges the
Cnurch to the fight agains, rum.
ne nVniiest discussion was precipitat.
en- py this report. The figure of meta
nh"r u.ed sixty thousand drunkards
IN the United States about whose nocl,s
nc rome Of the hangman is yearly adj.
1uStei' was objected to-
mor 'his was substituted the phrase
mere are sixty thousand drunkards
,eout who;e necks the fell monster
yearly winds his tentacles''
Rcv. NJ. BogSs objected ito drargin ,
alcoholism Into politics" '''6
wNs replied to vigorously nv Rev
.ir. homas. author of the report who
n'h that the church of God has IN stnn
en- n anu attempt to stay the tide of evil
Sne must enter the political arena I'm tho
interest of right "If." he soid "I no, ,',s
nni hSht the devil with the most avail
' weapon. VIII resign my commits
S'In as minister and fight alone
NV; Mr. Boggs stated that he was
nlHlscil opposed to liquor; had fought /,
ior years: hut he did not wish to com.
Eit me church to any political marty
NV. an Lefty agreed with Mr.. Rnpcs
ns thouGht the position of the Metho.
on ~ nurch could not be misunderstood
M ,ilis subject. He did not purpose 10
oe pound up To any political party.
MI. THOMAS took the ground that tho
man who did not vote the Probibitinn
ilcket was in favor of rum.
Mt. bcttN and Mr.. Lennon protested
AGAINST this statement. chara cterizin., i,
as extreme ans II
MIR. Parker also made an arpumen,
~ favor Of proper restriction Of the
''9mor lraiiic. but against the rcport
me Presiding Elder here yielded the
chair TO Rev. Mr.. Lambeth. and tool,
| ne moor in advocacy of tho rnnort
showing that the report itself pledged
SUPPORT to no political organizntICn
KEY: MIR. Rctty moved the unanimous
huon'ion OF the report. with the amend.
incnt OF striking out the word vote and
substituting therefor influence.
ne tlmc Tor religious Worship hnvino
arrived by vote Of 16 tn | II was
extended. Mr.. w. H. Wilder took the
noor IN advocacy Of the original report
ne was followed i'm the same strain Inv
Mr.. Boulkin ~
Mt. lanDinE, who was n member of
ne committee. said he did not under.
stsna III" report as binding Methodist
u' ihe di"trtct to vote the Prohibition
ucKet Mr.. Retty's amendment was los,
ana the conference Immediately an
nurncd TO hear sermon by Rev. l.. H.
bcttv. of Portsmouth.
After recess for dinner the confer
cncc rcconvencd
The license OF Rev John Green. Of
portsmouth, was renewed
Prof. Sumrter Smith was INTRODUCED
10 tne conference. He Is principal of
nediord Academy. one of the Randolph
Nlacoh system. and was invited to make
an address. which he did
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