Page 140 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 140
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
Church Erection. The work in this department has grown steadily. It has a strong hold upon all
our people. It is indispensable to our own and the general growth of the Church. The amount of money
for this purpose will equal or excel that of any former year.
Young Peoples’ Christian Union and Sabbath School. These departments have made
commendable progress. Some new societies and Sabbath schools have been organized. These
departments are better organized, and more thorough and definite work is being done. Much more,
however, can be done through these channels. Many of the pastors and local churches do not realize the
possibilities of these two departments. Literature. I have urged a larger circulation of all our
periodicals, especially the Sabbath school literature, the Watchword, and the Telescope. In these I think
the chart will show a healthy growth. It is a shame that more of our people do not take and read the
Religious Telescope.
Quarterly Conference. Seventy-one business meetings were held, 65 in person and 6 by proxy.
If the pastors would more definitely announce and arrange for these business sessions and then have
sufficient interest in themselves as to make a careful and itemized report of the work, it would prove to
be a great stimulus to others. The carelessness of the pastors and looseness of his work is so evidenced
by his report as to heartily discourage the lay members. Finance. There has been no great increase in
pastors’ salary, yet nearly every charge increased the salary over last year. The advance varying from
$5 to $50 dollars. The plan to fix a minimum salary has met with great favor. More than one pastor’s
heart will be made glad at this Conference. Revivals. While there has not been the so-called sweeping
revivals, yet many of the charges have experienced great refreshings from the presence of the Lord. The
religious life of many has been deepened and their experiences enriched. Many souls have declared the
fact of their regeneration. The reports will show 460 additions to the Church on the district and
475 professed conversions. License Granted. Bro. W. Eugene Smith, of Riverton, Va., was granted
quarterly conference license, January 15, 1906. Salary. All the charges paid the full amount
apportioned for elder’s salary, except one, and one paid $2.75 more than the assessment. Salary
received from charges, $770.99; house rent, $120; as presents, $12.25; total, $903.24.
Recommendations. I wish to most earnestly recommend the employment of a wise, safe, and
efficient evangelist and keep him constantly in the evangelistic work of the Conference. Conclusion. In
concluding my report I desire to say that I have given to the Church and the work on the district the best
that there was of me, of time, energy, and money. My own work, however, has been far from
satisfactory to myself. I preached 190 times and traveled many thousand miles. I leave the results with
God. I desire also to most sincerely thank my brethren in both the Ministry and Laity for their kindness,
support, and help. May we all be filled with the mind of Christ. Submitted in his name, W. F. Gruver,
P.E.
Boundaries. The boundary and finance committee, organized by electing A. S Hammack,
chairman; and A. J. Secrist, secretary. Present: Hammack, Hott, Gruver, Stover, Fadeley, Ruebush,
Siever, Burtner, and Secrist. The following resolutions were passed:
1. That we open a mission in South Cumberland.
2. Detach Broadway from Lacey Springs and attach to Singers Glen circuit; also attach Mt.
Carmel, Pleasant View, and Cherry Grove to Singers Glen. Detach Mt. Clinton from Singers Glen and
attach to Dayton circuit. Unite Dayton and Harrisonburg circuits.
1906 Reports 130
Church Erection. The work in this department has grown steadily. It has a strong hold upon all
our people. It is indispensable to our own and the general growth of the Church. The amount of money
for this purpose will equal or excel that of any former year.
Young Peoples’ Christian Union and Sabbath School. These departments have made
commendable progress. Some new societies and Sabbath schools have been organized. These
departments are better organized, and more thorough and definite work is being done. Much more,
however, can be done through these channels. Many of the pastors and local churches do not realize the
possibilities of these two departments. Literature. I have urged a larger circulation of all our
periodicals, especially the Sabbath school literature, the Watchword, and the Telescope. In these I think
the chart will show a healthy growth. It is a shame that more of our people do not take and read the
Religious Telescope.
Quarterly Conference. Seventy-one business meetings were held, 65 in person and 6 by proxy.
If the pastors would more definitely announce and arrange for these business sessions and then have
sufficient interest in themselves as to make a careful and itemized report of the work, it would prove to
be a great stimulus to others. The carelessness of the pastors and looseness of his work is so evidenced
by his report as to heartily discourage the lay members. Finance. There has been no great increase in
pastors’ salary, yet nearly every charge increased the salary over last year. The advance varying from
$5 to $50 dollars. The plan to fix a minimum salary has met with great favor. More than one pastor’s
heart will be made glad at this Conference. Revivals. While there has not been the so-called sweeping
revivals, yet many of the charges have experienced great refreshings from the presence of the Lord. The
religious life of many has been deepened and their experiences enriched. Many souls have declared the
fact of their regeneration. The reports will show 460 additions to the Church on the district and
475 professed conversions. License Granted. Bro. W. Eugene Smith, of Riverton, Va., was granted
quarterly conference license, January 15, 1906. Salary. All the charges paid the full amount
apportioned for elder’s salary, except one, and one paid $2.75 more than the assessment. Salary
received from charges, $770.99; house rent, $120; as presents, $12.25; total, $903.24.
Recommendations. I wish to most earnestly recommend the employment of a wise, safe, and
efficient evangelist and keep him constantly in the evangelistic work of the Conference. Conclusion. In
concluding my report I desire to say that I have given to the Church and the work on the district the best
that there was of me, of time, energy, and money. My own work, however, has been far from
satisfactory to myself. I preached 190 times and traveled many thousand miles. I leave the results with
God. I desire also to most sincerely thank my brethren in both the Ministry and Laity for their kindness,
support, and help. May we all be filled with the mind of Christ. Submitted in his name, W. F. Gruver,
P.E.
Boundaries. The boundary and finance committee, organized by electing A. S Hammack,
chairman; and A. J. Secrist, secretary. Present: Hammack, Hott, Gruver, Stover, Fadeley, Ruebush,
Siever, Burtner, and Secrist. The following resolutions were passed:
1. That we open a mission in South Cumberland.
2. Detach Broadway from Lacey Springs and attach to Singers Glen circuit; also attach Mt.
Carmel, Pleasant View, and Cherry Grove to Singers Glen. Detach Mt. Clinton from Singers Glen and
attach to Dayton circuit. Unite Dayton and Harrisonburg circuits.
1906 Reports 130
