Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-11-18

BISHOP IS PRESIDING
Temperance Question Will Be One Of
the Important Matters Discussed by
the Body.

! Norfolk. Va, Nov. lS-Promptiy
at $3.50 o'clock yesterday morning, IN
Cumberland Street Church, the Vlr-
einia Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church convened in the
one hundred and thirty-third annual
session. Bishop Warren A. Gambler
CT Atlanta, is the presiding officer o.
this conference for the first time. Es
is a man of striking originality aAG
is free from ostentation. In calling
the conference to order for the open
ing session, he used small pearl
handled pocketknife as Il gavel. lie
then announced as the opening hymn
the cid hymn, the first words being
Jesus the name high over all in earth
o. Heaven or Sky Bishop Gambler
did not wait for organ or choir, but
led the singing himself, as is his
custom in all conferences over which
nc presides.
Bishop Gambler read part Of the
eleventh chapter of the first eplstlc
to the Corinthians as the Scripture
lesson of the morning. emphasizing
in connection with the reading the
Importance and sacreGnesS of the sac
rament Of the Lords Supper and
thar for which it stands in the Chris
tian church. He then led the confer
Iancc in prayer.
In keeping with the standing Gus
=,.r. c. tine ',';:.-:inia Conference 4.
he opening session, the sacrament OF
the Lords Supper was observed i'm
mediately after the conclusion Of the
devotional service. Bishop Gambler
conducted this service. being assisted
by several members of the confer
ence. who distributed the elements OF
bread and wine.
Bishop Gambler, at the conclusion
Of the sacramental service. called the
conference to order for the beginning
of the business of the session.
The first item Of business was the
calling of the roll of the conference.
Dr.. B. F. Lipscomh was elected
secretary and he in turn nominated
Rev. J. T. Whitley and Rev. Frank
l.. Wells assistant secretaries and
they were elected.
The hours for meeting and adjourn
ment were fixed from 9:30 4. m. t"
| p. III
On motion Of Rev w A. Christian
the committee on temperance was
designated The Committee on Tenn
perance Social Reform the members
of this committee to Ue the members
of the executive committee Of the
Virginia Anti-Saloon League. Rev.
James Cannon and Rev. W. 4. Chris
rian. of Richmond. and ten or more
members Of this conference are mem
bers
The characters of the ten presiding
elders were passed The reports sub
mitted we're encouraging from Il ma
terial and spiritual point of view.
Rev. w. 3. Beauchamp, of Dan
vile. will preach the annual SER
mon in the evening.
Cumberland Street Church, in which
the conference is being held. is the
oldest Methodist church in Norfolk,
having been erected more than lDU
wears ago. This church is recognized
as the mother church" of Metho-
dism in Norfolk. The church is To-
Gated at busy corner. and consider
able merriment was occasioned yes
terday morning at the presence Of a
genial policeman on the sidewalk im-
mediately in front of the church dur
ing good part Of the morning ses-
sion of the conference. In answer to 4
question regarding his presence there
at this time he replied good natured-
" that he found it as necessary to
be there when Methodist Confer
ence was in session as at any other
time.
The report submitted by Rev. T.
Men. Simpson, presiding elder Of the
Richmond District, showed 1900
added to the church on profession of
faith during the year. About 600