Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-09
OF THEIR LABOR.
The Three Hundred Preachers Must
Pas. Character Examinations and
shadowcd Charges Of Pa.torates.

Witt, the singing of .'Blest Be the Tie
That Binds" or the equally 1an1iial
HYMNS. coronation or "And Are We
Yet Alive" in mighty volume by more
than three hundred male voices, the VIZ
cinia annual conference of the Methooist
EDiscopal Church South vii! begin week
Of daily sessions in this city at the Broad-
Street Church on Wednesday Blshop
Wallace w. Duncan, of Mississippi. VIII
ran the greatest State body of Southern
MethodistS to order. ana the coiAeie ii10
will get down to work
The singing by this great body OF men
nearly all of whom are accustomed 10
public singing and familiar with the oio
hyDlns that for century OF more nave
uttered Gods praise. is always feature
of the conference. 1t is mighty sweep
of song full Of feeling and spontanei'1'
AT this annual reunion Of men who arc a
hand of brothers with common hopes
common labors. the same joys and sor-
rows. all laborng III q great cause. there
ara, tears OF gratitude in many eyes, ana
few can see and hear the beloved men
who for years have minlsteTed 10 ti.e,i
own and their parents SpiTiiuai i!stua
without being moved by the slght ana oS
the overfiowing JOY Oh the faces Oh 'ife
preachers as they meet ana greet asaiH
their co-,aborers and lifelong TRENDS.
There will be a few familiar faces miss
ing from the throng, and there VIII pe
others present. but with the shadow or
3 great sorrow upon them, due to the loss
of some of their loved ones VINO were
with them last conference, but now are
missing.
MUST STAND EXAMINATION
The chief work OF the conference Con-
sists of the examination OF applicants iot
admission on trial to the work OF the
ministry: the examination of those who
have been on trial for advancement III
their holy calling. and Of those VINO are
candidates for deacon'S and elder orders.
These examinations are conducted by inc
committees constituted for the work, who
renort to the conference. by whom their
recommendations are usually ratliled.
Then the ministers make reports OF INC
work of the charges in which they nave
heen laborins during the year. and pass
examina tons as TO character. Their pre-
siding elders usually testify for them
very rarely is it necessary for the elder 10
bear witness against them. II charges
are made rejecting upon the character OF
anv. or initiating against his usefulness
as a preacher or pastor. the preacher &C
cused is tried by the committee. or, II
necessary, by the conference. So far as
t,;al 10 he prosecuted at this session.
THE IMPORTANT COMMITTEES.
Reports are prepared and offered on ecu-
cation. finance temperance. and various
nha ses of church work. and these are act
ed on by the conference, sometimes pre-
cipj1ating spirited debates. rms IS true
Of the reports on temperance and educa-
ton and publishing interests. so Tar as
known. however. the coming session IS TO
l,,,sI
tlaing in any wise bordering on the sensa-
fional.
Jate in the session a time is usually set
anart for memorials to deceased members,
AT which time loving tributes are PAID 10
the men whose earthly labors have ceased
Some of the most eloquent ana aHectlns
. addresses Of the entire conference are
heard at these memorial services. rev
have passed away since the last gather
ing.
THE ASSIGNMENT OF WORK.
The feature Of the conference in point
Of public interest and the interest OF the
nrea cheers themselves is reserved for the
closing session of the conference.-the de-
cree of the bishop assigning the pastors
TO their field for the ensuing year. AS
stated in this paper recently. there are
but ten of the 800 pastors VINO nave served
ont the four-year limit III their pastor
ates and four Of these are presiding ell
dcrs. There will probably be more than
this number Of changes however, posi-
bly, as many as fifty, or even hundred
changes. These are due to the retirement
for various reasons of ministers from the
active work; to the exigencies of the min
;stry. and the peculiar fitness OF preachers
for urban or rural service. as their eS-
nar,ences may have denlonstra ted
RJ-MOREDE RICHMOND CHANGES
Among the changes that will probably
he made. several are in Richmond pas
torates. Rev. Joseph D. Langley. who
win locate for u year, will. it is expected,
he succeeded in the pastorate OF ST. James
nv Rev. Graham II. Lambeth now sta
toned in Norfolk. Rev. J. L. Oy1er. OF
the Denny-Street Church, does not expect
10 return to that charge, preferring rural
IN urban worS. Who will succeed him
there is not yet known. Rev ". ". Lear,
ma tor of Centenary; Rev. w. 3. Beau
champ, pastor Of Broad-Street, and near
" ali the other Richmond pastors will
nrobab1y be returned to their charges.
#Generally, unless there is a decided pref.
sra.ce on the part Of the congregation or
the pa stor. and unless he has developed
nnf1tness for the peculiar conditions and