Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-15

have given to the. work our greatest
efforts and the work is gratifying. The
numb Of men in the employment OF the
board fas exceeded that Of any previous Gus
strongest and most efficient pastors
men illed with missionary zeal and
aSgressivencss- The number. OF converts
and additions to our churches tnroI 1Sa
past year was large increase over the
previous year-not less than 80 PEI, cent
The amount Of money contributed during
cnu TWEN naS T GGf6 PsaSDs R GS1
The General Association requested US
work, aid to estimate for all the
churches what would be a reasonable
amount for each. This was done, and
been IL raised edrs lacking few dollars only.
which did not get in in time to be re-
ported.
We desire to make special mention OF
warm cooperation of the churches and
such gratifying results. We refer to the
suggest amounts for the churches which
would be reasonable for each in order
to secure the s2o,o9o appropriated This
information CT knowing how much it
ought to undertake and put it in such
definite shape as to secure the efforts
Of the brethren. The other feature re-
ferred to is the missionary campaign
work. AS far as we have been able to
prosecute this plan of work it has done
more. than any other one thing to inform
missions. but also III respect to the Bible
doctrine of missions the, Bible doctrine
of giving. and practical plans OF working
IN FINE SHAPE.
The y < altogether was never In bet
ter shai and never more hopeful than
at this time; The, ninety-seven mis-
occupied 2sS stations: preached 9,503 ser
mons. baptized 1,216 converts tbesides
aiding pastors in other meetings in
chrso. organized re Is Sunday e Schools tois and
3 churches. are building 81 houses of
Worship and have completed II church
building the sum of s1S,6l9.25.
Our cooperative work with the coored
Baptists of the State was never before
aries engaged in this work conducted
forty Institutes. aided in a number of
meetings. raised nearly a thousand dol
lars for the mission work of the colorcd
Raptists.
The receipts for State, missions this
year We're SO S55.51, which with a bal
ance of .ss7s.As made available re
the fact that it was late in the year be-
fore we could secure proper men for all
the new fields we have opened up this
have been sufficient to meet the demands
of our work this year.
Our State is rapidly becoming wealthy.
Its educational advancement is also
a greater State. This has an important
hearing upon State CHARACTERIZATION and
WHAT IS NOW NEEDED
The present basis of our work will re-
auire $4,000 for the coming year. Yet
bar INN
taken up. Moreover. the State is now
ripe for great evancelist!c work III
addition TO our usual missionary efforts.
The perccntage Of unconvertcd popula-
ton in Virginia is astonishingly large.
1t will be a surprise to many to know
that Virginia in this respect is below
ninth in the list Of fifteen. In view Of
these conditions we most earnestly re-
commend that the General Association
The as board a1 to s apEroP S to this
REV. c. J. THOMPSON TO RETIRE:
There is only one announcement that
mars the glorious tidingS concerning our
most efficient field secretary. Rev. {. j.
THOMPSON has made known his p1rpocsc
20 retire from our service and enter the
rastoratY, again. That strong and sufn-
ISN'T reasons have constrained him to
take this course we ere fully assured
h1t his going is a .r,at loss 70 our
his untirinc zeal. his enthusiastic mis-
~;crary spirit his broad comprehension
If tf,a needs Of our State and his fine
>,aw field with our prayere and banefic-
ions ana with our grateful appreciation
If his services.
\ STRIIITNG PREsFNTATTON.
Al the conclusion Of the reDort M
F,,lyson made on earnest and informing
speech. He paid Il high tribute TO the
retiring field secretary. F"E G. =
Tho,npson. Mr. Thnmnson. being called
ont came to the platform, and made a
striking presentation Of the needs and
great possibilities Of the work The
of tho large church list ened with eager
et.sntion TO his stirring speech.
Professor Huanall of Rlackshur:s pre-
-ente9 request from the E'acNsnnrs
chirch for aid in their church building
enterprise. DR. Hatcher. of Richr2nd
oa,,,e forward aud in his fashion TOOK
co,,ec+ior of SLIGO, after which the oody
adjourned.