The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-21

The first OF the great annual religious
gatherings booked for the neac future is
the meeting OF the Presbyterian Synod OF
Virginia in Newport News, Tuesday
night next at o'clock. The session OF
the Synod will probably continue through
retiring moderator. is expected to preach
the opening sermon.
Most of the Richmond pastors hope to
attend the Synod, which gives great pro-
mise OF being a great meeting. Special
attention will be paid to the work OF the
foreign missions; to home missions; to
evanselization, and to the work of the
Bible Society.
One Of the important matters to come
before the body is the report Of a commit
tee appointed at the last meeting of the
body to consider the advisablity Of tho
establishment by the Synod OF an orphan
age This committee consists OF the fol-
lowing: Rev. R. H. Fleming. D. D., OF
Lynchburg: Rev. c.. W. Maxwell. of Nor
folk: Rev. ". McC. White. Of Lewis
burg, w. Va: Judge George L. Christian.
OF this city, and Rev. S. T. Flournoy, OF
Charleston, W. Va.
A LARGE BODY.
The Presbyterian Synod Of Virginia
is composed of the States Of Virginia and
West Virginia. the District of Columbia
and all Of Maryland. where there are
Southern Presbyterian churches. The menu
bership Of the body is composed OF all
the ministers of the Southern Presbyterian
Church living within the bounds OF the
Synod, and one elder appointed by the
session of each church as it's repreSen-
tative. This would give membership OF
80 ministers and 4s2 elders-in all 1i3.
There is seldom, however, an attendance
of more than 225 persons.
The growth of Presbytertanism in Viz
ginia and elsewhere has never been 50
encouraging at at the present time The
Christian Observer Of Louisville, in its
current ISSUE commenting on the growth
Of the Church In the United States, says
that in 1860 there were 1S3 ministers and
less than 1900 members. while nov the
Northern Church contains 1,0oI-6S3 souls
and the Southern 225, $50, making total
OF 122S, $40 members without consider
ing those in the other branches OF the
Church; and that in the meantime since
1860 the population of the United States
has increased from $4,000 to about I5.-
| 900, 600 IN 1900 showing a growth OF four
teen-fold. while that of the Presbyterian
Church has been more than a hundred-
fold
THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
The meeting OF the Baptist General As
ISOLATION is nearly a month off yet, but
already the feeling is that the meet
ing will be the greatest held in years
The body will convene at Bristol, in the
southwest corner of the State, on No
vember 18th. at $50 O'Clock P. NJ, and
! will continue IN session several days.
Many important matters will receive the
| cons -deraton of the Association. y new
departure in State mission work has been
on trial the past year, and report Will
be received from the State Board
Richmond College will not read re-
| port before the body, but the subject Of
general education will open the door for
all of the splendid enterprises in the edu-
cational field. and Richmond College will
have n hearing.
METHODIST CONFERENCE.
The Methodists OF the city and State are
preparing to turn out in great force at
| the meeting OF the Virginia Conference.
| which will be held on November 1sth,
! at Norfolk.
Bishop w. w Duncan will preside at
| the meeting. DR.. Duncan was member
| of the Virginia Conference before he was
| elected Bishop and is well-known In
| Richmond He has frequently preached in
! Norfolk, Petersburg and Danviile. DR..
| Duncan is now resident Of Spartan
burg. S. C.
| Only routine business VIII occupy the at
| tention of the conference. Changes will.
| OF necessity. be made in the assign
! ments TO pastoral work in Richmond and
| elsewhere. but it is highly impossible to