Page 138 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 138
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
Revivals. The good Lord manifested his presence and power in the revivals this year. Many
were saved and added to the Church. There were 367 accessions on the District, making a very
commendable increase. Quarterly Services. The quarterly conferences were not as well attended on
many of the charges as they should have been, but the Sabbath services were generally largely attended
and were seasons of special blessings. Young Peoples’ Christian Union. A greater effort should be
made to enlist more of our young people in church work, and this is especially true since the recent
revivals, when so many young people came into the Church. There are a few good societies on the
District, and there should be many more. Prayer and Class Meetings. A greater effort should be made
to revive the prayer and class meetings that have entirely ceased to exist on many fields of labor.
Conclusion. In concluding this report I want to thank the brethren in the Ministry and Laity for
the kindness shown me. It has been to me a source of great pleasure to commingle with you in the
Master’s work, to meet together in the sanctuary where the good Lord has convicted and converted so
many, to gather around the sacramental table where the Master has manifested his presence and power,
and to preach the gospel of Christ that has been to me the sweetest of all services. May the Lord bless
and keep us all until he comes. Salary. Received from charges, $709.38; received interest from
Parsonage Fund, $27; presents, $10; total, $746.38. A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. To the presiding bishop, brethren in the Ministry and Laity in annual
conference session—grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. My dear
brethren: With gratitude to Almighty God for his abundant mercies vouchsafe to me and mine, and for
the many kindnesses shown to me by you, I offer this my third annual report of Winchester district for
the year ending March 21, 1906. The year just closed has been one of unusual toil, care and triumph.
Sickness and Deaths. I am pained to report the death of Rev. J. D. Donovan that occurred on
April 22, 1905; “God giveth his beloved sleep.” Rev. W. R. Berry was near death’s door two or three
times during the year, but God was gracious to us and spared his life. Rev. C. J. Racey was
miraculously saved from instant death, he having been caught on a shaft making 250 revolutions per
minute. He escaped death by having his left arm torn off near the shoulder. For nearly 4 months, he
was unable to work. Rev. A. V. Vandersmith was hindered in his work by having the typhoid fever.
Others of the Ministry have been somewhat hindered by affliction in their families, not so severe. Rev.
J. B. Fergerson, on account of the death of his mother, found it necessary to resign Lost River circuit,
January 7, 1906, to move to his old home to take care of an aged father. On the same date, Rev. L. E.
Brill was appointed to take charge of the work for the remainder of the year. The District. The district
remains as one year ago. All the pastors went cheerfully to the fields to which they were assigned and
as a rule have been faithful, and their reports will show that good progress has been made in nearly
every department of work.
New Church Buildings. Four new churches have been built during the year.
Alpine U.B. Church—Berkeley Springs circuit, Rev. C. D. Bennett, pastor. This is a neat country
church, 26-ft by 36-ft, and cost $550. This church was dedicated by myself, August 6, 1905.
Bayard U.B. Church—Bayard, W.Va., Rev. W. S. Rau, pastor. The church is 30-ft x 50-ft, with a
recessed pulpit and a commanding tower, with a splendid bell in it. This church was dedicated by
Dr. H. H. Fout, on November 19, 1906, and cost so far $1,800 with a debt of about $300.
Buck Hall U.B. Church—Prince William mission, Rev. A. V. Vandersmith, pastor. The church is
a well finished and furnished house, 24-ft x 36-ft, with a neat vestibule. The total cost was about
$1,000. This church was dedicated February 18, 1905, by myself.
1906 Reports 128
Revivals. The good Lord manifested his presence and power in the revivals this year. Many
were saved and added to the Church. There were 367 accessions on the District, making a very
commendable increase. Quarterly Services. The quarterly conferences were not as well attended on
many of the charges as they should have been, but the Sabbath services were generally largely attended
and were seasons of special blessings. Young Peoples’ Christian Union. A greater effort should be
made to enlist more of our young people in church work, and this is especially true since the recent
revivals, when so many young people came into the Church. There are a few good societies on the
District, and there should be many more. Prayer and Class Meetings. A greater effort should be made
to revive the prayer and class meetings that have entirely ceased to exist on many fields of labor.
Conclusion. In concluding this report I want to thank the brethren in the Ministry and Laity for
the kindness shown me. It has been to me a source of great pleasure to commingle with you in the
Master’s work, to meet together in the sanctuary where the good Lord has convicted and converted so
many, to gather around the sacramental table where the Master has manifested his presence and power,
and to preach the gospel of Christ that has been to me the sweetest of all services. May the Lord bless
and keep us all until he comes. Salary. Received from charges, $709.38; received interest from
Parsonage Fund, $27; presents, $10; total, $746.38. A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. To the presiding bishop, brethren in the Ministry and Laity in annual
conference session—grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. My dear
brethren: With gratitude to Almighty God for his abundant mercies vouchsafe to me and mine, and for
the many kindnesses shown to me by you, I offer this my third annual report of Winchester district for
the year ending March 21, 1906. The year just closed has been one of unusual toil, care and triumph.
Sickness and Deaths. I am pained to report the death of Rev. J. D. Donovan that occurred on
April 22, 1905; “God giveth his beloved sleep.” Rev. W. R. Berry was near death’s door two or three
times during the year, but God was gracious to us and spared his life. Rev. C. J. Racey was
miraculously saved from instant death, he having been caught on a shaft making 250 revolutions per
minute. He escaped death by having his left arm torn off near the shoulder. For nearly 4 months, he
was unable to work. Rev. A. V. Vandersmith was hindered in his work by having the typhoid fever.
Others of the Ministry have been somewhat hindered by affliction in their families, not so severe. Rev.
J. B. Fergerson, on account of the death of his mother, found it necessary to resign Lost River circuit,
January 7, 1906, to move to his old home to take care of an aged father. On the same date, Rev. L. E.
Brill was appointed to take charge of the work for the remainder of the year. The District. The district
remains as one year ago. All the pastors went cheerfully to the fields to which they were assigned and
as a rule have been faithful, and their reports will show that good progress has been made in nearly
every department of work.
New Church Buildings. Four new churches have been built during the year.
Alpine U.B. Church—Berkeley Springs circuit, Rev. C. D. Bennett, pastor. This is a neat country
church, 26-ft by 36-ft, and cost $550. This church was dedicated by myself, August 6, 1905.
Bayard U.B. Church—Bayard, W.Va., Rev. W. S. Rau, pastor. The church is 30-ft x 50-ft, with a
recessed pulpit and a commanding tower, with a splendid bell in it. This church was dedicated by
Dr. H. H. Fout, on November 19, 1906, and cost so far $1,800 with a debt of about $300.
Buck Hall U.B. Church—Prince William mission, Rev. A. V. Vandersmith, pastor. The church is
a well finished and furnished house, 24-ft x 36-ft, with a neat vestibule. The total cost was about
$1,000. This church was dedicated February 18, 1905, by myself.
1906 Reports 128
