Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-12
.METHOD|STS To DAY.
THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE VIII
CONVENE HERE THIS
MORNING
MANY MEMBERS ARRIVE.
Nearly An VIII Be Present vines
the Rody Meets
GREAT SUBJECT OF EDUCATION.
1t is the Most Important to ne con-
sidered by the Conference.-The
to Raise 100000 for Randolph )
Macon CoIIeEe-Great Amount OF
Routine Business-Sketches OF the
Members Who Axe Here.
GREAT SUBJECT OF EDUCATION.

ginIa Annual Conference OF the Metno"
dist Church In the auditorium OF the
Broad-Street church, where all OF the
sessions of the conference will be held.
There will be no evening sessions. The
body will be in session from o'clock
to 1 o'clock, and the evenings will be
devoted to special services in the Broad
Street church. Rev. S. c. Hatcher VIII
preach tonight. and further announse-
ments will be made from day to day
One of the most important matters that
will come up before the conferences
will be discussion of plans for raising
a 100000 fund for Randolph-Macon Col
lege Rev. w. B. Beauchamp, of the
Broad-Street church. will be one OF the
active leaders in this cause. Mr.. John
P. Branch of this city, has promised the
college 100000 If the sum mentioned is
secured by the college. The Conferences
Board of Education will present a report
on this matter. and the friends of the
college, particularly its alumni among
the conference members, Will press t9
question vigorously before the body. An
excursion will be arranged to carry the
members Of the conference to Ashland.
where special addresses will be made II
the interest of the additional endoW-
ment. !
The Plan to Raise Money.
The plan to raise the required s200.oCe
will be by gifts from the wealthtest lay-
men of the Church. and not by general
subscription on the part OF Its constitu-
ency. The active friends OF the college
will endeavor to secure endowments for
the several chairs at the college. and
the sift OF Mr. Branch. In case this plan
Is successful, will. In all proba btlity. be-
devoted to students loan fund to pro-
vide tuition for needy young men. There
Is no doubt that the question of raising
the amount mentioned will be one OF
prime Importance before the conference.
The details OF the plan will be taken ur
by the Board of Trustees of Randoiph-
Ma con. but It Is thought that a great
stimulus will be given to the cause by
the action that the conference takes ir
the matter. and as large number of the
ministers composing the conference are
alumni Of Randolrh-Maco 1t is a cer-
tafnty that the proposition that Rev. MIR
Beauchamp and mary Of hfs couferrees
have at heart will receive n hearty sup-
port from the official body OF the Church
Apart from the consideration OF this
matter. there will be little out OF the
routine for the conference to consider.
All Of the prominent ministers seen last
night stated that no great Issues were
before the body this year. AT the same
time there Is an immense amount OF de-
+ai1 business to be transacted. The COM
mittees on the Examination OF Candi.
dates for Admission to the Ministry was
IN session last night at Centenary church.
rhcre are about ten applicants th's year.
They will he examined on .ha T1slish
branches ord tl'A doctrines nf the Church.
Prominent Men Here.
At late hour last night nearly all OF
~ 1So-D Ea6 II
reached the city. and when the body con-
venes this morning there will be almos.
a complets roster OF ministerial and lay
delegates.
Prominent among the lay delegates is
DR.. William w. Smith. the recognized
lay leader In educa tional matters. AS
chancellor OF the Randolph-Macon Sys-
tenn of Schools and Colleges he mas firm
Iy esta ablisbed the Randolph-Macon Wo.
mans College at Lynchburs. ratee
among the fourteen institutions Tor the
higher education Of women in the United
States along with Vassar. Bryn Mawr,
Wellesley. Barnard. and similar colleees-
Under his direction the two preparatory
academies of the system were estab-
Iished-ore at Bedford CITY and one az
Front Royal-and IN addition. the enc
dowment and facilities OF the mother
college, at Ashland have been greatly In
creased.
Another prominent lay delegate who viii
be present is w. w. Vicar. OF Norfolk.
treasurer OF the conference Mr.. Vicar
is leading businessman OF Norfolk. and
has been closely connected with all f!nan.
ciaI interests OF the conference Tor many
years L. L. Marks. of Petersburg. VIII,
be among the lay delegates. Mr.. Marks
has been identified with all the progress
sive Sunday school work OF the church
for many years. and has been familiar
figure at the sessions of the conference
in the past.
A Methodist Editor.
Mr.. E. c. Moseiey. leading tobacco
mist Of Danville, viii also be present La
the capacity of 1ayman. He Is the edi-
te- Of the Danville Methodist. and super
Iutendent OF the largest Sunday school In
Virginia-the Cabell-Street church Sun
day school in DanvilIe. Among the lay
delegates of less mature years than thosa
named Is Mr.. Walter Mapp Commons.
weaith's Attorney of Accomac county,
ranked as one OF the brightest men
among the younger laynen- Mr. Frank
West. OF Louisa county. Ia another lay
lature from his county. and an active
worker In his church.
Possibly the most distinguished minis
ter of the Methodist church in Vtr-
ginia certainly the most prominent leader
on the floor OF the conference. will be
Rev. Paul Whitehead. D. D.. He has
been secretary OF the Virginia Conference
for forty years. and is the recognized
parliamentarian OF the body. DR.. S. ;.
Lambeth. whose wit has always relieved
the dullness Of the routine sessions. viii
be present and welcomed by his brethren.
DR.. w. J. Young. pastor OF Court-Street
church. Lyuchburs. win not be present a,
the opening of the session. being detain.u
at home to oif3ciate at the wedding OF
one OF his church members DR.. Young
stands foremost as the orator OF the con-
ference. DR.. Young is probably tho
smallest member(of the body SO far q.
physique goes, but his pulpit oratorY has
made him eagerly sought after by tha
best charges In the conference. Raw. 3.
F. Lipscomb. chairman OF the Beard of
Finance. Is another one ct tho ministers
who 10 prominent ON the door OF the epu-
fesenca and IN Committees