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

! during the session of the Methodist Con-
| ference than the report made by Rfv.
| John Harmon yesterday morning Wfe1,
| his name was called by Bishop Duncan,
who was receiving the ministers reports.
His figurative language. in the use OIL
which he has few peers, was at times ib-
surdly funny, and again exquisite in its
! delicacy DR.. Harmon is picturesque IN
his personal appearance, and he belongs
/ to the impressionstic school OF word
! painters.
| \ Methodist minister who stands on the
! floor of the Virginia Conference with the
doctrines of John Wesley grated in his
| heart and soul, and speaks Of the his
church as religious automobile and
"a dream in brick is taking long chances
with the sensibilities and risibi'ities OF his
collcas CUES But that's what DR.. Harmon
also does. His personality justiies 1t.
His enthusiasm is unbounded and with
out affectaticn; his sincerity is beyond
doubt and without fear; there is no sus-
picion of cant in his religious zeal.
Contrasted with the routine reports of
his brother preachers, his account of the
doings Of Union station for the past year
was like holding wild squirrel in your
lap after petting the tame house cat.
Bishop Duncan could not keep a twinkle
out OF ms eye, dS Ilt l!StcjleN 70 "uttI
Dr. Harmon had to say. When there was
any repartee. DR.. Harmon was seldom the
second best.
John Hannon," called the bishop.
Amen was the reply, and the tall,
Eaunt form Of the Chruch Hill minister
rose. Bishop. Uniot station is all right.
It's religious automobile. and 1t hasn't
got any rubber tires on it. either You
can hear it rumble all over Church Hill.
It's a dream in brick. There are no old
ladies of both sexes ,over there who get
frightened at vigorous gospel Sometimes,
bishop, you can smell birthstone in Union
station.
Dangerous place" said tine bishop. II
want to come over there and see you ALL"
"Yes, sir. We have wanted you for
long time, but the Phlistines have pre-
vailed against us. There are no frills on
Union station. but the plug hat and gold
cane of Epworth, Court street, Broad
street ana Centenary are not in it with
U.s.
There is no way to depict the way in
whcn Brother Harmon said these things.
One must hear him to understand. He
switches from the most common place
:imles to those that were fragrant with
the choicest dction.
die you have to make all that speech
for Union station?" said Bishop Duncan.
Yes sir. It's big OCCASION 'Al! right.
we pass your character IN spite OF
the speech
bishop, there's big cyclone of opinion
moving along in Union sta ton, with its
storm center in my heart. that says we
don't want a change" Every humorous
expression ard catchy phra Sc set the audi
encc laughing. But beneath the light vein
of humor there was the solid bedrock of
religious fervor when DR.. Harmon gave
thanks to God for the prosperity OF his
church.
An Affecting Scene.
There was sunshine and shadow during
the proceedings of the conference yester-
day. DR.. lannon's humor brought smiles,
but when Rev. Richard Ferguson of the
AIiddleseN circuit. arose to make his re-
port there was evidenced .,le strong bonds
of sympathy and affection that hold to-
eether in fraternal ties the members Of
the conference.
Rev. Mr.. Ferguson is one of the most
honored members of the body. He has
served the Methodist cause in Virginia
with the same devotion that he followed
the Confederate flag during the war be-
tween the States. Several months ago
his son. Richard Ferguson, Jr. a promi-
nent physician in Columbia, S. c.. was !
found dead in his room and last week
Rev. Mr.. Ferguson lost mis- devoted wife /
His aftlictions We're known to his brethren
in the conference. When he arose to
make his report, filled with emotion, he
was unable to proceed, and was excused |
by Bisnop Duncan. Out in the audience a |
minister raised the old familiar tune to
How Firm g Foundation, Ye Saints OF !
the Lord" In an instant the entire CON !
feaence and audience Joined in the song. |
1t was grand expression of spontaneous
sympathy that came direct from the heart |
OF the conference, and left its consolation |
upon the soul of the bereaved minister
Matr-r of KcdistrictfnS.
The lay delegates could not agree yes |
terday on the question of redstrictins the |
The committee appointed for |
The purpose Wednesday brought in the |
following report.
Your committee, appointed to consider
whether the Farmville and Eastern Shore
districts shall be restored, beg leave to re- |
port as follows:
We. the lay delegates to the Virginia
Annual Conference, in. session assembled. |
do hereby petition the bishop and his
council that, If It be at all practicable
new district be created within the bounds
of our conference, and that the new dis
trict be formed from the territory In and |
adjacent to Farmvile
c. a. HADEN,4
J. w. C.. DAVIS, Secreta ri:
Chairman.
a substitute for the above was offered
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE)