The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-16
Methodists Get Down to Bust
ness Early and Disposes Of
Much Business
AN "ASBURY HOUR"
TO BE OBSERVED
Great Congregation Heard An
nual Conference Sermon De-
livered By Or. Joll,f En-
couraging Reports Received

Twelve hundred persons last night
heard the conference sermon by Rev.
DR.. J. X. Joiliff, pastor of Laurel
Street Methodist CT Irch, closing the
flret day OF the annual sesst on Of the
Virginia Methodist Conference. which
opened In Broad Street Methodist
Church yesterday morning. with near
~ four hundred ministers and lay
members and Us many more visitors.
While the auditorium and galleries
LOT the church were thronged last
Fright, there were some two hundred
memb ers and visitors gathered in the
SUNDAY schoo. ROOFS for better ac-
Quafutance.
This session % the conference
promases 10 he a very harmonious
one. and one IN which much will be
accomplished for the advancement of
Methodism In Virginia, tInoer the
able guidance OF p shop John G. Kilgo.
the morning session passed smoothly
tofits closing hour. T. NJ, with more
accomplished ia an initial session
than in several years
Bishop kilgo throughout the morn
ing honra brought "a bear hts enltv-
cning humor. and in the singing he
led with his clear and puwcrfu4 voice
As the reports came from tire vari-
pas distr Is through their presiding
6lders. the bishop made appropriate
f-Na1gnents. some OF which brought
ssn.ieS which broadered into laugh
ter. Bishop kil~o commenting on
the growth Of the Sunday schools in
psicabie me adage, "A little child
[43Tf fsyai but DO IA vf a1 that that
doesn't mean that thc child shall carry
the burden, but the srown-ups should
follow he example set
"0ften the best part Of the preach
rr is found IN the parsonage-tha
rreac hers Wife the bishop said.
WHEN the report of Presiding Elder
pndrer. of she Farmvllle district.
kpoke of the education institutions
fnF girls within his districts confines.
Hour for Bishop Asbury.
One or the features of this confer
tnce will he the hour set aside In
honor OF the centennial OF Bishop
Asbary One hour Of the conference
kime will he devoted 10 the memor,
pf that early leader of the church in
Virginia. probably on Saturday. The
arrangements are In tho hands of a
Committee composed OF DR. James
cannon, IT. Or r. II. RAWLINGS AMI
Rev. J. II. LAughton This commit
tee may report today recommended <
lhA hour TO be fixed with the an
provai OF conference. Bishop kilyo
will make the address of the occa-
Ufos.
The service last night during which
|Dr JoIlin's conference sermon vas
preached, was conducted by Rev.
Fired r. Chenault. and participated in
by Rev. DIR, Samuel c. Hatcher who
Invoked divine blessing; DR.. G. =,
Booker. who read the Scripture les
ron; DR. Reed. who made the closin :
psoayer. and DIR. Rawlings, who pro-
ncunced the benediction. The music
was the double quartet choir of the
church and by Mrs. Shinfett, soloist.
The conference was organized yes
terday morning with the reelection
|of DIR. b. F. Lpscomb as secretary.
md OF Rev. J. I. Whitley and Rev.
Frank L. Wells as assistants.
Large Attendance at Opening.
The opening session of the confer
|ence was featured by the administra-
lion by Bishop Kilgo of the sacrament
81 the Lords supper. the presenta ton
Of bishop Wilson. of Baltimore. an
Exchange cf vre ,ings with the Bap-
hist Association NJ Virginia now in
Hession in Norfolk the hearing Of re-
ports OF the presiding elders Of the
Ten conference districts showing spfen-
lid progress during the last year, the
pAssing on the character of the min
listers. the raising OF a number OF con-
fxrence members to deacon's orders,
Rnd other routine of Organization.
Broad Street Methodist Church was
well filed when Bishop Kilgo called
the conference to order All presiding
elders were in their respective places
st the tables bordering the open space
hafore the pulpit or with their minis
tcfial and lay delegates in the body OF
the church. The galleries running the
lenR-n OF the church on either side
nnd over the front entrances accom-
1nodated a large number Of ladies and
Visitors. All was ready at the hour
set for the opening of the session,
o.s0 o'clock.
Impressive Ceremonies
The devotional ceremonies and the
Administration Of the sacrament were
very impressive and the conference
haxi It's beginning under most auspi-
ri0us conditions. bisacp Kilgo was
Hasisted by Presiding Elders T. Men
|9impson. of Richmond: b. r. Lips
bomb. Of Petersburg: G. W. Jones OF
Norfolk; and s. J. Brown. OF DAN
lille
Greeting of the Virginia Methodist
c0nference. on adoption by the body
IN resolntions authorizing them. were
tnlographed to the Virginia Baptis
y ss.l .s,lion now in session in Norfolk
~ short time after. there was re-
cSiycd from the Baptist meeting q
Gfuatlar message bearing good will and
Representations.
II ~ telegram conveying the sympathy
ID best wishes OF the conference for
SAxly recovery was dispatched to Rev