The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-17
Opens With Large Cath
ering in Centenary
Church. LynLhburg.
BISHOP ALPHEUS w.
WILSON PRESIDING
No Controversies Are Expected
at This Session and Nothing
Sensational Is Likely to
Occur-Dr. H. E. John
son May Not
Return.

Especial from staff Corresponocnt.)
LYNCIIBuRG, VA, November To-
Sunny sldes and delightfully."- crisp tenn
perature marked the annual asscmblage
OF tho Virginia Conference. the greatest
gathering OF Southern NIethodlsts. Bishop
Wilson, who is presiding. Is dispntching
business with promptness and without
friction. More business has been disposed
Of than usual at an opening day session.
Bishop A. Coke Smith, Of Norfolk, is
also present, and Is very popular here,
where no had his last pastorate. ,
Many Of tho preachers and lay dele
gates are late in arriving owing to vali-
GUS delays, but they are nearly all here.
Rev. j. Powell Garland, D.. D., is among
tho absentees, being unavoidably detain-
cd. III II
SO far as now appears there will be
nothing of a sensational character before
the body and no controversies will be
Injected. To-days surface was as placid
as the daily life Of the average minister.
Centenary Church, the seat of the con-
ference, Is the mother church Of Lynch
burg, and is in a prosperous condition.
Tho conference has been admirably pro-
vided for, and the preachers are COM
fortablyi quartered at hotels and private
residences. AZ, },
Bishop Wilson was promptly in his
place this morning and punctually called
the conference to order. The administra-
tion OF the sacrament of the Lords Sup
per and the usual devotional service were
held. The XVI Matthew was read. and
the conference sang. Jesus, the Name
That Charms Our Fears" Bishop VIII
son offered the opening prayer q fer
vent Invocation OF divine guidance.
The Bishop was assisted in the admin-
istra ton of the sacrament by Rev. Paul
Whitehead, ID. D.. Rev. w. E.. Judklns,
DID,, Rev. George H Ray .. ID. |. Rev.
Oscar Littleton and Rev. Jesse T. Whit
ley, D. ID.
Rev. Paul Whitehead, DID. for nearly
hall a century secretary Of the confer
ence, called &the roll = OF members, an
nouncing the death of several ministers
as the call progressed. The roll call
showed sparse attendance of ministers at
the opening session. many not having
reached the city and others not having
entered the church. Many came In later,
however, and before the; session closed
the attendance. Of both members and vis-
itors was fully up to tho average.
The Committees.
The following committees were an
nounced: fa ess;s a t{fy t{ffy$ VI y
Publishing Interests-W. B. Beau
champ r. Nelson, Bascom Dey j. III.
Chappcl,! John o. Moss. G. B. Newblil,
C. W.6Leftwick, G. A. Haden. j, w.
Shackford. o.. c.. Rucker, John S, Robins,
Frank Talbot, s. c. Hatcher, Joseph c..
Davis, v. w. Bargamin. w. D. Folk, q.
H. 5NIcFndden, j. w. Backus, C. u. Watts.
j, G.. Boggs, L. T. Williams and y. a..
Hardy.
10 Examine District Conference Re-
cords-J. w. Sllaston. Jr., c. II. Gallo
way. J.. 8. Wallace. w. A. Conrad, d.
Fl. Thompson. a. a. Whitmore, P. NJ.
He'll, r. II. Marks. D. r. Merritt, E. IT,,
Harrcll, ]. D. Hoslcr.
Board OF Church Extension-G. e. b..
Smith. A. B. Sharpe. w. L. Ware, ].
w. Bedsoc, W. B. Jett, r. s. Baughan,
]. w. Carroll, w. G. Boggs, ]. K. Jolr.
A. c. Bergman and G. Rosser James,.
s&} Committee to Nominate Committee on
Conference Relatons-W. q. Judl1ins, Il.
N. Potts, w. II. Atwill.
Minister'S named to prepare memoirs
Of deceased minlstcrs-Paul Whitehead,
ID. d., to prepare memoirs OF Rev. W.
H. Robertson; ]. Fl. Amiss, Of tho late
Rev. J. Carson Watson: Rev. T. Q. Ed
wards. of r. II. Younger; Rev. j, II.
.Amiss, OF NJ. s.. Colonna. sr.; Rev. J, II.
An,ss Is chairman Of the committee.
Committee on Temperance--James Can
non Jr. r. II. Bennett, w. r, Beau
champ, w. A. Christian, W, w, Lear,
IS. C. Hatcher, T, McN. Simpson and ].
7. Whtley--all members OF the Anti-Sa-i
loon League.
# TO Fill Vacancies on Board OF Missions
r. B. 5yylnn, II, Il, Barrow, ". J. Twilley.
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