Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-11-23
METHODIST CONFERENCES,

METHODIST CONFERENCE.
The work Of the Annual Virginia
Methodist Conference, which has
been In session in Norfolk for the
past week, closes to dav (Friday)
when appointments vii! be made.
This has been one of its most sue
cessfus sessions.
An interesting feature of the Con-
ference was higaly humorous adj
dress made by Rev. VIM. II. Atwill,
of Ashland. The occasion for 1t
WIS The calling Of Rev. Mr.. Atwill's
name in the passage Of characters.
de was granted the floor by the
Bishop to tell of his work during last
year, and be took as bis text sash
land as the Hub of the Virginia Con-
ference"-something Of the order of
Proctor Knots famous speech in
Congress on Duluth as the Hub of
the United States" except that Mr..
AtwilPs praise of Ashland was more
IN earnest in the matter of compli-
ment TO "the hub" than was the dis
tinguished Congressman's.
just after Mr.. Atwil began, the
Bishop began to ask him to explain
what he meant By "the hub"
The speaker brought down the house
by saying to the presiding officer Of
the Conference, "Bishop, l decline
to be disturbed in my remarks" His
flow of humor continued for consid-
cradle length. When the name of
Atwill was called the aisles Of the
church were crowded. 1t was evil
dent that battle of wits was on, and
1T so proved. Brilliant sallies were
exchanged between Bishop Duncan
and Atwill, aud the pastor sat down
at the end of a drawn battle. Bishop
Duncan said after the pastor sat
down, "I am thankful We are yet
alive"
VIOLENT LANGUAGE.
DR.. Cannon's violent language in
replying to the request of Rev. J.
Sidney Peters, who asked for certain
information which he wanted regard
ing the disposition of the twentieth
century fund collected by the Board
of Education, of which DR.. Cannon
is secretary, shocked those who heard
it.
DIR. Cannon replying to Mr.. Peters
said: 81 have never misappropriated
any money entrusted to me or made
any lying statements"
After the report was read Rev.
james Sidney Peters said that DIR.
Cannon, in his report, did not show
in detail what amount of cash had
come into his hands.
He was answered by Or. Cannon,
who said that he had eleven large
books showing this and as it appears
that the ability of the board to keep
track of the collection and disburse-
ment of the funds was questioned he
would move that DIR. Peters be ap
pointed committee of one to do this.
Brother Peters said he did
not think that e DR.. Cannon
would inappropriate any money
or make lying statement and be
did not believe any pure-minded mau
would construe his request as DR..
Cannon evidently construed it.
DIR. Canuon's report shows that
S74, 151.37 has been subscribed TO
the Twentieth Century fund.
BOWLING GREEN SEMINARY MATTER.
Rev. Asbury Christian, chairman
of the special committee appointed
at the last session of the conferences
to consider the question of accepting
The gift of the Bowling Green Semi
nary by the conference, submitted
majority and minority reports. These
reports created much discussion and
the Bishop said he could not pass
upon the question without time to
consider it.
THE RTDDICK CASE.
The case of DR.. Riddick, the
preacher murderer now in the peni-
tertiary, was disposed of. When the
name of j. Roane Riddick was
reached on the roll his presiding
elder, Rev. Il. Il. Wilson, arose and
stated that last August the parch-
ments of Riddick were handed him
by his father without condition.
There was an instant solemn hush
of expectancy, which was broken by
the Bishops grave sentence: "No
longer member of our Church nor
member of this body. Call the
next name"