Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-13

DIR. BROWNS ILLNESS.
Revs. W. T. Williams. r. B. Scott
and Charles L. Watts offered the fol-
lowing. which was adopted:
Whereas. Rev. A. G. Brown, D. D.,
our Presiding Elder. is unavoidabiy
kept away from this session OF the Dis
trict Conference on account of sickness;
Resolved. That we are deeply
grieved at his aflliction and that we
assure him and his family of our heart
felt sympathy, praying that the God of
all comfort and grace may be with
him and them in much tenderness and
love-"
On motion of DR.. Johnson, the secre-
tary was instructed to telegraph the
resolutions to the family of DR.. Brown
at Ashland.
MISSIONS.
Rev. R. H. Bennett presented the
following report on the subject of mis-
sions:
The obligation upon the church to
carry the gospel to the regions beyond
increases with every passing year. Es-
timated by the value of the Individual
souls saved and the heroism and faith
fulness of many of our workers, our
missionary work is unspeakably bless
ed and glorious. Estimated by the
number of lost yet to be saved and By
the vastness of the fields white unto
the harvest, our missionary work would
be supremacy ridiculous II 1t were not
heart-breaking reproach.
Resolved That we most cordially COM
mend the work of our Woman's and
other societies for the spread of the
gospel.
Resolved. That VIC will individually
search our hearts to see whether our
prayers for missions, our gifts to the
work and our conservation to every
phase of the missionary cause may not
be in vain.
Resolved, We will personally. as lay
men and preachers. use our very best
efforts to see TO 1t that at least the full
assessments for missions on our
charges will be raised this year.
Resolved, That we will use our best
endeavorS to cooperate with the Spirit
of God in discovering to us those whom
He calls to the mission fields.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY WORK.
Mrs. NJ. f. Favillc. district secretary
of the Womans Missionary Society,
was introduced to the conference. She
made very practical address on the
work OF the society.
The report on missions was then
spoken 10 in strong and trenchant
speech by Rev. r. H. Bennett, Rev. Dr.
II. E. Johnson, Rev. r. NJ. Chandler.
Rev. Chas. I. Stengle and lay delegate,
a. e. Kellam.
Rev John Il. Bosnian. OF Mount Yer
non Church. Danville: Professor Sump-
ter Smith OF Bedford City Academy,
and Rev. l.. II. Rowe. OF Bowling Green
Female Seminary, were introduced to
the conference.
Opening SERMON.
At IL ocloc.; m. the conference heard
the opening sermon by Rev. DR.. H. e.
johnson. His subject was the Beauty
and Strength OF the Church. Text:
Awake, a,. axe, put on thy strength
Zion, Iui on thy beauty o Jerusa-
lem"
ADJOURNED FOR DINNER.
At the close of the service the con-
ference and visitors adjourned to the
school house opposite. where sumptu-
Gus dinner was served to all by tho
members OF the church at Lamberts
Point.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference reconvened at 2:30 p. m,
Bishop John c. Cranberry presiding.
Devotional exercises were conducted by
Rev. j. w. Nicholson, of South Princess
Anne Circuit. The minutes of the
morning session were read
Mrs. f. II. Washington. secretary of
the Woman's Foreign Missionary So
CITY, WIS introduced anu illduC an III
terestng talk on the work of the So
ciety.
DELEGATES TO ANNUAL CONFER
11NCE.
Lay delegate w. w. Vicar offered the
following. which was adopted:
Resolved, That in the election of
delegates TO the Annual Conference. no
ballot of an absent delegate or local
preacher shall be counted unless the
same is previously deposited with the
secretary sealed. and by permission OF
the District Conference.
SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT.
Mr. w. w. Vicar read the report of
the Committee on Sunday Schools.
1t says the Sunday school work In
the district is receiving the usual at
tentlon. In some charges no little ac-
tivity and enthusiasm are being mani
tested. But the work as whole is not
what it ought to be. The increase in
membership has not kept pace with
the steady. ever rapid growth in popu-
lation so noticeable in our tidewater
section. II is true many accessons are
reported from time to time. but the
number remaining on the rolls at the
close of our conference year indicates
very small increase If any at all, over
the enrolment of the previous year
There Is need for serious inquiry into
the matter. and we commend it to the
thoughtful consideration of the confer
ence.
Mr.. Vicar spoke Mt some length on
the report after which it was adopted.
EPWORTH LEAGUE REPORT.
The report of the Committee on En-
worth League work was read by Rev.
S. c. Hatcher.
The report showed that the league
has steadily grown in numbers and
usefulness since its organization in our