Page 158 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 158
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
Revivals. The last conference year was one of great revival interest and power. Nearly every
charge experienced the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in deepening the spiritual
lives of his disciples and convicting and regenerating sinners. The combined results of the efforts to
save men will show that 1,368 professed faith in Jesus Christ and that 1,200 united with the Church.
This bright picture will have only one shadow upon it, and that shadow is cast by our heavy loss. Some
of our pastors and church officials either cannot or will not shepherd or properly care for the new
converts. It is so much easier to secure new recruits than it is to hold them. We need a new vision and a
new commission or a re-commission department of church work.
Schools and Societies. Possibly the greatest gain in any one department is in the Bible school
department. Some of the schools actually doubled in their enrolment and attendance during the year.
There is also a much deeper interest in the real work of the school. The young Peoples societies are also
growing in numbers, interest, and power. I should have mentioned the growing interest in the men’s
movement in the Sabbath school work of the Church. New classes have been organized during the year
and old classes better organized. The Woman’s Missionary Associations and Ladies’ Aid Societies are
growing slowly in numbers and interest. New members have been added and the work advanced. This
work should receive more attention in many of the local churches.
Finance. The conference year through which we have just passed has been the most trying from
a financial view point of any year in my ministry of 22 years. The financial panic has had its effect on
the finance of the Church. It has been positively serious in some places, especially in railroad towns and
mining regions. But, notwithstanding the financial depression, much more money has been put upon
God’s altar than in any one year before. There is a handsome increase in pastors’ salaries, in conference
church erection, and in conference missions. Another fact of great significance and that which promises
much for the future is the fact that every charge except two unanimously adopted the disciplinary
method of securing the pastor’s salary and the conference claims. It now remains for the pastor and
official boards to put into active operation this plan or law of the Church. Notwithstanding the financial
panic in certain sections of the Conference, a majority of the charges will report full on all items of
finance. As a rule, the pastor and officials who intelligently, earnestly, systematically, and in season
present the financial interests of the Church will pay in full their financial obligations.
Missions [Home and Foreign] and Church Erection. These triple interests of the Church are
vital to the life and growth of the Church, both at home and abroad. The very genius of Christianity and
of the Church is missions. Larger contributions have been made for conference missions than formerly.
This is due to the fact of our imperative and absolute needs. We have had a few organized classes in the
study of both Home and Foreign Missions. We should have had many more organized classes. “Our
Heroes” had a large sale throughout the Conference. I believe that the interests of the general Home
board and of the Foreign board are one, and that each should receive the same attention and be put upon
the same basis. The plan of the freewill offering for general Church Erection has worked well and
should be continued.
Special Gatherings. The Young Peoples’ Christian Endeavor Union held its annual convention
in the Church in Martinsburg, W.Va., July 23 to 26, 1908. This convention was really great, great in the
addresses delivered, great in numbers, great in its enthusiasm and inspiration, and great in its faith and
purpose. A Bible Conference and school of methods was held in Dayton, Va., August 24 to 28. Rev.
Dr. G. A. Funkhouser, of Union Biblical Seminary, was the instructor and leader. It was an occasion of
inspiration and great profit. On Tuesday, September 7th, a great U.B. rally for Rockingham and adjacent
counties was held at Assembly Park. Judge Mann and Rev. Dr. G. A. Funkhouser delivered strong
1909 Reports 148
Revivals. The last conference year was one of great revival interest and power. Nearly every
charge experienced the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in deepening the spiritual
lives of his disciples and convicting and regenerating sinners. The combined results of the efforts to
save men will show that 1,368 professed faith in Jesus Christ and that 1,200 united with the Church.
This bright picture will have only one shadow upon it, and that shadow is cast by our heavy loss. Some
of our pastors and church officials either cannot or will not shepherd or properly care for the new
converts. It is so much easier to secure new recruits than it is to hold them. We need a new vision and a
new commission or a re-commission department of church work.
Schools and Societies. Possibly the greatest gain in any one department is in the Bible school
department. Some of the schools actually doubled in their enrolment and attendance during the year.
There is also a much deeper interest in the real work of the school. The young Peoples societies are also
growing in numbers, interest, and power. I should have mentioned the growing interest in the men’s
movement in the Sabbath school work of the Church. New classes have been organized during the year
and old classes better organized. The Woman’s Missionary Associations and Ladies’ Aid Societies are
growing slowly in numbers and interest. New members have been added and the work advanced. This
work should receive more attention in many of the local churches.
Finance. The conference year through which we have just passed has been the most trying from
a financial view point of any year in my ministry of 22 years. The financial panic has had its effect on
the finance of the Church. It has been positively serious in some places, especially in railroad towns and
mining regions. But, notwithstanding the financial depression, much more money has been put upon
God’s altar than in any one year before. There is a handsome increase in pastors’ salaries, in conference
church erection, and in conference missions. Another fact of great significance and that which promises
much for the future is the fact that every charge except two unanimously adopted the disciplinary
method of securing the pastor’s salary and the conference claims. It now remains for the pastor and
official boards to put into active operation this plan or law of the Church. Notwithstanding the financial
panic in certain sections of the Conference, a majority of the charges will report full on all items of
finance. As a rule, the pastor and officials who intelligently, earnestly, systematically, and in season
present the financial interests of the Church will pay in full their financial obligations.
Missions [Home and Foreign] and Church Erection. These triple interests of the Church are
vital to the life and growth of the Church, both at home and abroad. The very genius of Christianity and
of the Church is missions. Larger contributions have been made for conference missions than formerly.
This is due to the fact of our imperative and absolute needs. We have had a few organized classes in the
study of both Home and Foreign Missions. We should have had many more organized classes. “Our
Heroes” had a large sale throughout the Conference. I believe that the interests of the general Home
board and of the Foreign board are one, and that each should receive the same attention and be put upon
the same basis. The plan of the freewill offering for general Church Erection has worked well and
should be continued.
Special Gatherings. The Young Peoples’ Christian Endeavor Union held its annual convention
in the Church in Martinsburg, W.Va., July 23 to 26, 1908. This convention was really great, great in the
addresses delivered, great in numbers, great in its enthusiasm and inspiration, and great in its faith and
purpose. A Bible Conference and school of methods was held in Dayton, Va., August 24 to 28. Rev.
Dr. G. A. Funkhouser, of Union Biblical Seminary, was the instructor and leader. It was an occasion of
inspiration and great profit. On Tuesday, September 7th, a great U.B. rally for Rockingham and adjacent
counties was held at Assembly Park. Judge Mann and Rev. Dr. G. A. Funkhouser delivered strong
1909 Reports 148
