Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-13
DUNCAN PRESIDES,
OPENING SESSION OF THE ONE
HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH
VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
SERMON OF THE BISHOP.
Reading of Reports Consumed Con-
siderable Time Yesterday.
CHARGES AGAINST MINISTER.
Understood That They VIII Be Pre-
ferred To-Dny-scrmon Last Night
Preached by Rev. S. c.. Hatcher,
One of the Younger Membcrs-A
Forecast of the Work Of the Body.
Committees Appointed.

Bishop ". W. Duncan. of South caro-
lima. opened the one hundred and twen-
tieth session of the Virginia Annual Con-
ference yesterday morning in the audl1o-
rum of the Broad-Street Methodist
church. About two hundred and fifty
ministers and lay delegates were m at
tendance, and others will continue TO ar
rive to-day and tomorrow.
The main body Of the church and lhe
galleries we're we'll filled with spectators
from the various Methodist conSresa-
tions in the city. Bishop Duncan delv-
cred the opening sermon before the con-
ference. 1t was powerful address, ol-
rected particularly to the ministry OF '!e
church. Following the sermon was the
administration of the sacrament to the
members of the conference. The greater
portion Of the first days session was de
voted to the organization of the body.
Dr.. Paul Whitehead was chosen secretary
Of the conference. with Revs S. S. Lam
beth and George F. Greene as assistants
and Rev. J. D. Langley as statistical sec
retary. Reports were read from the sec
retaries of the general committees al
Nashville, and the conference committees
were appointed to consider them
The hours for meeting and adjourning
were fixed respectively at $50 a. M. and
/ P. NJ With the possible exception OF
Saturday night, there VIII be deEotiona
exercises every evening at O'Clock in
the Broad Street church
Sermon last Night.
Last night Rev S. c. Hatcher, OF Mar.
ket-Strcet church, Petersburg. preached
to the conference and a large consrega-
ton. Every available scat in the churcf
was occupied, and many stood In the
aisles. The galleries were crowded, anc
great interest was manifested in the meet
ing. Rev. Mr.. Hatcher, who is one OF the
young members of the conference. deliV
cred a sermon of great force. Hts tex
was taken from Fabakkuk. chapter ii.
verses l and 2 1T was the word to th'
prophet Habakkuk. waiting upon tht
watch tower for the answer OF God tina
he must wait by faith. And the Lore
answered me and said. Write the vision
and make it plan upon the tables that HI
may run that readeth it" The sermon
was directed to the ministers OF tht
church, urging them to be leaders among
men, which the preacher said could b.
done only by exemplary lives and alb
solute faith in the doctrine that they e%
pounded. No intimate knowledge of tht
Scripture or rhetorical and oratorical ab.I
ity on the part of the minister could take
the place of sincere faith. which was vi
tinlately based upon the certain convic
ton that he was called to his worl
through the souls vision. Revs. G. w
Wray. j. n. Latham. and w. W. Lea
offered PRAYER These ministers and Revs
O. Littleton and ]. c. Reed occupied seats
In the pulpit.
Tonight Dr. c. F. Reid. In charge o
the Corean Mission will deliver the ser
mon, and on every night there will be {
sermon from some member of the confer
ence This morning at 9 o'clock there vii
be meeting of the lay delegates In tn
Epworth League room OF the church. l 0
dav's session will be devoted to the cal
of the minister's when the presiding ed
ers, as each preachers name is called
will answer as to his work and cf1aracte
in his respective charge. 1t is understood
that charges have been made against on
or more minister's and their cases viii
be referred to a special committee ap
pointed by Bishop Duncan to eNamin
into the charges. With but few excep
tons, The entire body of the conference
will be passed without criticism.
While greater portion Of to-day's ses
sion Will be given over to this work. Their
will be a large amount OF work done b,
the several committees that were nanet
at yesterdays session
The Morning Session.
Bishop Duncan spoke from st. Paul
Second EDstle to the Corinthians in hi
opening sermon.
Many young minister must have fel
the strength of what the bishop said con
cerning the lack of care in early mar
riages. and many an old minister Will
hopes of a bigger charge. and more o
physical comforts. must have felt tn
sharp reference TO the vanity of worldl,
trea sures for man whose life work i
to dispense the grace Of God.
''Yestnrdav afternoon said the Bishop
81 walked down Broad street and looked
in the many windows at the beautiful! dis
plays of Hne things. saw the mos
beautiful sets Of fine furniture and man.
other things that one would wish. and
stopped and felt very happy that I wa
above such. and could rejoice in be1nl
rich in the love of God. The power to d.
without Is as great a power as that re
quired to secure riches of the world.
beseech you also that you receive not tn
grace of God in vain said Saint Paul.
cannot imagine greater loss than tn
minister sustairs who receives the gra c.
of God in vain, who does not use it prop
erly but who squanders it. He is like
man who comes suddenly into grea
fortune and U{,o DrofitS not by It,