Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-04-02
Baltimore Conference.


| The fourth day of the Baltimore an
nual conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South was begun at the
Southern Methodist Church, on Wash
ington street, this morning with devo-
tional exercises, Rev. DR.. d. III. Kern
leading in prayer.
Bishop Alpheus w: Wilson presided,
and after the minutes had been read the
committee on conference relations re-
ported the names of those who are made
supernumeraries, and also those who are
on thesuperanuuated list and the reports
of the committees were unanimously
adopted.
The board of education reported that
they we're planning campaign of Chris
tan education. They approve the Cor
responding Schools, the Woman's Col
lege and Randolph-Macon school, espec-
tally at Front Royal. 1t was expected
that as soon as the matter of education
was understood there would be large
endowments. The system will be repre-
sented at the st. Louis Fair. They adj
wise the appointments of visiting commit
tees to the various institutions. An
assessment for the support of the schools
is advised.
Rev. DR.. Rae, president of the South
ern Female Institution, then addressed
the conference, urging the claims of that
institution, especially as there was no
conference school for women within the
bounds of the Baltimore Conference. He
set out the methods pursued at that
school, its healthful position and COM
modous buildings.
Rev. DR.. Blackwell president of
Randolph Macon College, followed in an
address describing the progress of the
work of the Randolph-Macop schools.
The people are supporting this system
financially better than ever before, and
most of the money has come, not from
the men of wealth, but from people in
moderate circumstances. Randolph-Ma-
con College has been a nursery OF min
listers and its unseen but powerful in
auence is incalculable.
He called upon those ministers who
had been educated at Randolph Macon
College to stand up and show its wide
spread influence, and more than half OF
the members Of the conference rose.
The college had only 40 men in its
first year and now there are 300 men
there. Our system is the envy OF our
Christian brothers. DR.. Shaw, editor of
the Review of Reviews, had expressed
his admiration of the Randolph-Macon
system. All the world is coming to see
that all you will have in your nation you
must put in your schools. We must
show that Methodism means something
for the State, the church and the world.
Rev. DR.. Hammond, agent ofthe gen
eral educational system, thep urged
upon the conference the importance of
religious education. Leave religion out
of education, and education affords no
basis of life. The general board of
education has definite aim, although
the evidence of this was not the same
as that offered by the missions, church
extension, &c. The raising OF the
standard Of education was gradual, but
certain and it required time tc show its
development. The general education
system was intended to unity Methodist
teaching so that children rocked in
Methodist cradles would be reared to
manhood under Methodist influences.
Very much less is now given to educa-
ton than to missions, 50 that while we
are making heathens christians, we are
allowing christian people to become
heathens; for there is great deal of
'heathenism in this days secular educa-
ton. He thought it better for ] 200
people to contribute $1,000 than for
one man to contribute $4,000. We
want every body interested. DIR. Ham
monds wide and complete exposition of
the educational interest of the church
was listened to with great attention.
He asked for contributions to the
$40, 900 endowment, for Pacific coast
work and a collection was taken up by
the committee on collections.
Rev. Mr.. Light gave his experience
as to the competition and said, eve
must endeayor or die.
The report of the Education Board
was then adopted.
A small fund raised for colOred
church in Baltimore, and the project
found unsuited, was appropriated to
Lane Institute for colOred church
education
Rev. DR.. Lamar then addressed the
conference on the subject of the publish
ing interests of the conference. He
urged that more percentage be given to
the church publishing house, and asked
an increase in the subscriptions to the
Christian Advocate.
Rev. j. G. Peters, of the Richmond
and Baltimore Christian Advocate, made
an appeal to the conference.
Rev. A. A. p. Neel gave history of
his own position, showing that his health
did not permit his work in the active
ministry, and his case was referred to the
committee on conference relations.
Rev. A. B. Sites and Rev. Henry |
Lamson were granted locations at their
own request.
Rev. A. J. Bruner was admitted to |
the conference from the NJ. E. Church |
ministry, and will be transferred to the
missions conference.
The committee on memorials reported
that they thought the memorial service
should be held next Monday morning at
10 o'clock-and that service was made
the order of the day for that time.
The committee on conference minutes
1 L IL