Page 125 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 125
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
License to Preach was granted to Bro. H. Ralph Geil, August 1, 1903. Bro. M. W. Maiden was
recommended to the Annual Conference by the Fourth Quarterly Conference on Pleasant Valley circuit.
Improvements. The church on Rockbridge circuit to which I referred in my last report was
dedicated in June free of debt and a balance in the treasury. A new church has been built on
Shenandoah circuit that was dedicated in September by Bro. E. A. Stanton. At the Second Quarterly
Conference on Broadway circuit, a board of trustees were elected to take charge of a church being built
on Runyan’s Creek. Also, at Fourth Quarterly on Churchville circuit, a board of trustees were elected
for a church at Stokesville. The church at Dayton, which was destroyed by fire one year ago, is being
replaced by a handsome building, and will be when completed one of our finest churches. The church
on Broadway circuit to which I referred in my last report was dedicated in June by Bro. N. F. A. Cupp.
The Staunton congregation has purchased the Baptist church for $4,000 and expects, as soon as the old
church is sold, to remodel this church to such an extent that it will be a handsome place of worship.
Missions and Church Erection. These two interests have been faithfully presented by most of the
pastors, and, where the envelopes were used, with several exceptions, a commendable increase is noted.
The good work of the past year should be a stimulus to higher attainments the coming year.
Finance. There was a fair increase in salaries this year on some of the charges, and this increase
will be largely paid. My ambition was to see each department of finance full. It is but proper that I
should say that nearly all of the brethren worked faithfully. I wish I could have said all, but such was
not the case. I should like to recommend that when a minister has repeatedly come to Conference with
his conference assessments behind, that the stationing committee take his record as a guide for a future
field.
Young People’s Christian Union. There are some excellent Young People’s Christian Unions
and Christian Endeavor Societies on the district. Not near so many as there should be. This important
part of the work deserves greater attention. Sabbath Schools. The past year has been one of splendid
interest in the Sabbath schools. Some schools are setting apart one Sabbath each month for missions,
which is commendable, teaching the children to give to this important interest. Prayer and Class
Meetings. These services are faithfully observed at a few places, but many neglect them entirely. An
earnest effort has been made to reestablish these life giving services.
Literature. The Religions Telescope, Watchword, Searchlight, Woman’s Evangel, and Review
are circulated to a fair degree. Our Sunday school literature is taken with one or two exceptions in every
field on the district. Education. There is a marked degree of interest manifested on the part of our
people in trying to prepare the rising generation for greater usefulness. Shenandoah Collegiate Institute
and School of Music, one of the best of its class, is enjoying a very prosperous year.
Salary Received. From charges, $637.94; rent from district parsonage, $30; presents, $20; total,
$687.04. Respectfully submitted, A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. To the presiding Bishop, ministers and laymen of the Conference; Dear
brethren, Greeting: In submitting to you this my annual report. I desire first of all to express my deep
gratitude to God the Father for his constant and providential care over me and mine during the year, in
making his grace sufficient, and in blessing us with the best of physical health; and to my brethren in
both the Ministry and Laity for their patience, love, and prayers. The District. The district is composed
of 20 charges, all of which were supplied with pastors at the last Annual Conference. To the service of
these charges I gave all of my time, ability, and money. All the quarterly conferences were held: 63 in
person and 12 by proxy. No quarterly conference was held in Cumberland. During the year, I preached
1904 Reports 115
License to Preach was granted to Bro. H. Ralph Geil, August 1, 1903. Bro. M. W. Maiden was
recommended to the Annual Conference by the Fourth Quarterly Conference on Pleasant Valley circuit.
Improvements. The church on Rockbridge circuit to which I referred in my last report was
dedicated in June free of debt and a balance in the treasury. A new church has been built on
Shenandoah circuit that was dedicated in September by Bro. E. A. Stanton. At the Second Quarterly
Conference on Broadway circuit, a board of trustees were elected to take charge of a church being built
on Runyan’s Creek. Also, at Fourth Quarterly on Churchville circuit, a board of trustees were elected
for a church at Stokesville. The church at Dayton, which was destroyed by fire one year ago, is being
replaced by a handsome building, and will be when completed one of our finest churches. The church
on Broadway circuit to which I referred in my last report was dedicated in June by Bro. N. F. A. Cupp.
The Staunton congregation has purchased the Baptist church for $4,000 and expects, as soon as the old
church is sold, to remodel this church to such an extent that it will be a handsome place of worship.
Missions and Church Erection. These two interests have been faithfully presented by most of the
pastors, and, where the envelopes were used, with several exceptions, a commendable increase is noted.
The good work of the past year should be a stimulus to higher attainments the coming year.
Finance. There was a fair increase in salaries this year on some of the charges, and this increase
will be largely paid. My ambition was to see each department of finance full. It is but proper that I
should say that nearly all of the brethren worked faithfully. I wish I could have said all, but such was
not the case. I should like to recommend that when a minister has repeatedly come to Conference with
his conference assessments behind, that the stationing committee take his record as a guide for a future
field.
Young People’s Christian Union. There are some excellent Young People’s Christian Unions
and Christian Endeavor Societies on the district. Not near so many as there should be. This important
part of the work deserves greater attention. Sabbath Schools. The past year has been one of splendid
interest in the Sabbath schools. Some schools are setting apart one Sabbath each month for missions,
which is commendable, teaching the children to give to this important interest. Prayer and Class
Meetings. These services are faithfully observed at a few places, but many neglect them entirely. An
earnest effort has been made to reestablish these life giving services.
Literature. The Religions Telescope, Watchword, Searchlight, Woman’s Evangel, and Review
are circulated to a fair degree. Our Sunday school literature is taken with one or two exceptions in every
field on the district. Education. There is a marked degree of interest manifested on the part of our
people in trying to prepare the rising generation for greater usefulness. Shenandoah Collegiate Institute
and School of Music, one of the best of its class, is enjoying a very prosperous year.
Salary Received. From charges, $637.94; rent from district parsonage, $30; presents, $20; total,
$687.04. Respectfully submitted, A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. To the presiding Bishop, ministers and laymen of the Conference; Dear
brethren, Greeting: In submitting to you this my annual report. I desire first of all to express my deep
gratitude to God the Father for his constant and providential care over me and mine during the year, in
making his grace sufficient, and in blessing us with the best of physical health; and to my brethren in
both the Ministry and Laity for their patience, love, and prayers. The District. The district is composed
of 20 charges, all of which were supplied with pastors at the last Annual Conference. To the service of
these charges I gave all of my time, ability, and money. All the quarterly conferences were held: 63 in
person and 12 by proxy. No quarterly conference was held in Cumberland. During the year, I preached
1904 Reports 115
