Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-24
NYDIVINES PRESENT
BOO IN ATTENDANCE AT WINCHES-
TER CONFERENCE.
Notable Increase in Membership-Ova-
ton to Aged Pastor-Reports
Show Prosperity.

Over eight hundred ministers and laymen
ere attending the Baltimore annual confer
enee of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South in session at Winchester, Va. A
large increase in membership and general
prosperity was reported by the ministers
yesterday. =
At the morning session yesterday Bishop
Duncan presided, conducted devotional eX-
ercises and led the singing. which was of
the old-time variety and without organ ac-
compartment
Rev. DR.. w. r. Lambert, secretary of the
mission board delivered an address, giving
a general review of the work of that de-
partment Of the church and incidentally
pleaded for more money with which to
carry on the work. In the foreign mission
field he said, there were IA 242 communi-
cants. On assessments $310,934 had been
contributed, an increase over last year of
$22,S'1. Nine conferences paid in full.
Women's Foreign Missions.
The report of the Noman's Foreign Mis-
sionary Society shows total membership
OF 2550. The society supports one mission
airy. has three scholarships and $50 sub
Scribers to the Missionary Advocate.
Rev. DIR. James .kins, secretary of the
Sunday school board reported that there
are now 4,2lS schools. with 10SS 41 officers
and teachers, a gain of 4.191: 979 935 schol-
ars. gain of 1925; total, Loss, 7I6; in
crease, J0016
Oldest Minister in the Conference.
At this juncture the bishop presented the
nestor Of the conference, Rev. William G.
Eggleston Of Middletown, who is over nine
ty years old. He had not been able to at
tend an annual conference for eight or nine
years, but, although very feeble, he left his
home to mingle with his brethren for what
he said would probably be the last time.
iThe conference sang How Firm a Foun-
! cation" and rose in honor of the aged
preacher.
Rev. George T. Tyler, presiding elder of
Iewisburg district. reported about 500 con-
versions, Improvement in benevolent col
Elections. new 81. 900 church at Lewisburg
and special work accomplished at Romeo
verte and White Sulphur frankfort paid
in full Petersburg will build a new par
sonage. He also reported a big increase in
the church extension fund and 700 sub
scribers to the Advocate.
General Church Prosperity.
Rev. Henry P. Hamill. presiding elder of
. Winchester district, reported a slight in
grease In salary and increase in conference
collections. One church dedicated he re-
ported, old debts paid, parsonages improved
and $500 Sunday school house built Re-
Hivals have occurred all over the district.
notably 200 conversions at Brucetown by
Rev. Buchanan. The increase In member
ship OF the district is 32s
Rev David Bush, presiding elder of Rock
engham district, reported about 500 con-
versions, good REVEALS, five new churches
pnd one parsonage built and 1IS2 sub
scribers to the church paper
Rev J. I. Williams. presiding elder of
Moorefield district. reported 6IS accesslons.
a new $4,000 church in Cumberland, a
$500 parsonage and a new $1,000 church
at Romney replacing the one destroyed 10y
fire.
Rev. James q. Armstrong. presiding elder