Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-11-14

day, Thursday and Friday.
The Annual Conference of Virginia Of
the Methodist Episcopal chdrch, South.
Will meet in Petersburg, ct Wash:ng-
ton Street church on next Wednesday,,
the 18th. ana its sessions will propuOly
De the most interesting held Cor some
time as there are many matters Of i'm
portance to come before ths, ministers
which are not exactly in the routine
business line.
The delegates from Newport News
and other Peninsula points Will lave
for Petersburg to-day.
One of the questions which has been
widely discussed and much talked
about in the Methodist circles Of N'ir-
g!nia. is whether or not an effort will
be made on the part of the Conference
TO bring back to this State some u The
brilliant young men who We're sent to
other tielis of labor in the United
States. to fill the vacancies which arr.
being rapidly made in the front ranks
of the Conference.
LEFT THE RANKS
Many e. the ablest men and most be-
loved pastors of the state have dropped
out of the regular line Of work. (; t',c,
by taking work in some If the various
schools or having been forS.., % give
UP their labors on account CT flillng
health. @EM 0#
Some years ago several Of IL, bright
est young minds We're sent from this
Conference into other fields. where. the
church seriously needed their AID, and
it is in the power of the Bishop % bring
them back to Virginia should n think
tiis move for the best, but he would
hardly do SO without the eonsent Of
these men.
It is thought by many that the Viz
Einia Conference needs no such action,
as It's younger preachers are Of SutIi-
Gent ability to answer every demand
of the future.
NEARLY \ WEEK.
The conference will be in session very
nearly 4 Week. as there is much bust
ness OF a routine nature which will re-
luire their attention. The sessions are
expected to be attended by a large
number Of laymen as we'll lis preach
ers. as the location is central ana the
hospitality of Petersburg is widely
known throughout the State
bishop y. w. Wilson. of Baltimore.
one OF the a'blest bishops Of tie Scutn-
ern Methodist church, will preside ana
VIII make the appointments for the
coming year. Tie is we'll acquainted
With the Virginia churches, an,l for this
reason he is we'll suited for the appoint
ment work.
The conference embraces nbout $225
clerical and lay delegates. all Of whom
except those Who are kept away by
Sickness or other unavoidable clu.,>s
are expected to be in a1tendonca The
coming Of the Virginia Conference al
ways aWakens a great degree Of inter-
est. not only because OF the dignity ana
inheritance Of such a church organiZa-
tion, and OF the distinguished ability
OF The members, but because OF the lap
py reunion of friends and Christian
workers.
The. hospitah!e home OF Petersburg
nave been freely opened for the accent
mediation and entertainment Of the
conference members during their visit,
and no one Of them will be without
attention. Committees will Sc at the
depots on the arrival of each train to
re2eive the delegates and assign rhcm
to their respective homes.
OF course. the conference appoint
mnnts to be announced by The Bishop
Will be awaited. as always, with gen
eral interest. 1t is not probable that
there will be any changes in Newport
NEWS. as the terms OF both Rev. q. r.
Li!'scom5 and Rev. M. S. Colonna, Jr..
90 not expire for some time yet
During the session of the conference
there will be meeting Of the Wo-
mans Missionary Society ana rallies
or the sunday schools and E.pwor1h
Leagues. Rev. w w Lear will preach
the opening sermon before he confer
cnce.