Page 166 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 166
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
carried throughout the Conference. The convention pledged $500 to Home Missions, which was
commendable.
Ladies’ Aid and Woman’s Missionary Association. These two departments of church work
conducted by our sisters needs special mention. A more self-sacrificing body of women will not be
found anywhere. The Ladies’ Aid of Dayton have raised a little over $300, and Staunton’s Ladies’ Aid
is a close second with $285. Harrisonburg contributed $224. This shows the results of consecrated
efforts. Other societies in the Conference may have done quite as well, though I do not have their
reports. The WMA has done splendid work, where we have active organizations, but we have too few.
I have made special mention of this important work and it is to be hoped that the pastors will insist upon
the organization of WMAs at every appointment favorable. Again I must refer to the work of our
women. The Martinsburg WMA has raised $133.67 for missions, making a total of moneys raised by
this society for church purposes of over $429. Perhaps all cannot do so well, but great would be the
results if all would do something. The next meeting of the WMA will be held at Reliance, Va., April
13th-14th. Encourage our sisters by your presence and help. They have raised about $500 this year for
the Association.
Literature. The literature coming from our publishing house never was better. There has been a
fair circulation of all our periodicals. The Telescope and Watchword should be in more of our homes,
and a greater effort should be made during the coming year to very largely increase their circulation.
The Virginia Conference News has its place in the Conference, and should have the hearty support of
every pastor. I find that the people like the paper and want it. It ought to be published monthly instead
of quarterly. Finance. There will be a deficit in conference assessments; all the charges will not pay out
in full. The assessments were increased $264 this year, and at this time, as reported, the deficit is
$1,000. Some charges will pay out in full, which were assessed proportionately higher than stronger
charges that will report a shortage. This to me is very sad.
Missions and Church Erection. Inasmuch as the General Conference has placed these interests
on the freewill offering basis, it should be the aim of every minister to faithfully present them at their
various appointments, and seek to increase these offerings. The freewill offerings this year are not what
they should be, but it is hoped that next year these will go far in advance of the past year. The offerings
for Foreign Missions, as reported, is $586.39; and for Church Erection, $181,62. The Easter offering
will be taken in April and should be faithfully presented. Bro. H. A. Secrist secured, while in the
Conference, for Church Erection, in cash and subscriptions, $1,466, of which $209 was cash.
Shenandoah Collegiate Institute and School of Music. The present year is the best in the history
of the School. The school is being manned by strong and efficient teachers. The board deeply regretted
to lose Dr. E. U. Hoenshel as principal. For 13 years the Dr. was closely identified with the interests of
the School and, with his associates, Profs. J. H. Ruebush and C. A. Funkhouser, has laid strong
foundations for the future. Prof. J. H. Ruebush is the present general manager, with Prof. C. A.
Funkhouser as associate. Through the earnest and untiring efforts of Prof. J. H. Ruebush, a new college
building is to be erected during the summer. The last session of the Conference made the raising of the
debt on the Institute the special work of the Superintendent. I was not faithless in this matter, but found
it practically impossible for me to do this work. I have given all the aid I could in keeping before our
people the importance of the School and its needs.
License Granted. Layman’s License to Preach the Gospel was granted by the quarterly
conference on Elk Garden circuit, October 9th, 1909, to Bro. George W. Mackley.
1910 Reports 156
carried throughout the Conference. The convention pledged $500 to Home Missions, which was
commendable.
Ladies’ Aid and Woman’s Missionary Association. These two departments of church work
conducted by our sisters needs special mention. A more self-sacrificing body of women will not be
found anywhere. The Ladies’ Aid of Dayton have raised a little over $300, and Staunton’s Ladies’ Aid
is a close second with $285. Harrisonburg contributed $224. This shows the results of consecrated
efforts. Other societies in the Conference may have done quite as well, though I do not have their
reports. The WMA has done splendid work, where we have active organizations, but we have too few.
I have made special mention of this important work and it is to be hoped that the pastors will insist upon
the organization of WMAs at every appointment favorable. Again I must refer to the work of our
women. The Martinsburg WMA has raised $133.67 for missions, making a total of moneys raised by
this society for church purposes of over $429. Perhaps all cannot do so well, but great would be the
results if all would do something. The next meeting of the WMA will be held at Reliance, Va., April
13th-14th. Encourage our sisters by your presence and help. They have raised about $500 this year for
the Association.
Literature. The literature coming from our publishing house never was better. There has been a
fair circulation of all our periodicals. The Telescope and Watchword should be in more of our homes,
and a greater effort should be made during the coming year to very largely increase their circulation.
The Virginia Conference News has its place in the Conference, and should have the hearty support of
every pastor. I find that the people like the paper and want it. It ought to be published monthly instead
of quarterly. Finance. There will be a deficit in conference assessments; all the charges will not pay out
in full. The assessments were increased $264 this year, and at this time, as reported, the deficit is
$1,000. Some charges will pay out in full, which were assessed proportionately higher than stronger
charges that will report a shortage. This to me is very sad.
Missions and Church Erection. Inasmuch as the General Conference has placed these interests
on the freewill offering basis, it should be the aim of every minister to faithfully present them at their
various appointments, and seek to increase these offerings. The freewill offerings this year are not what
they should be, but it is hoped that next year these will go far in advance of the past year. The offerings
for Foreign Missions, as reported, is $586.39; and for Church Erection, $181,62. The Easter offering
will be taken in April and should be faithfully presented. Bro. H. A. Secrist secured, while in the
Conference, for Church Erection, in cash and subscriptions, $1,466, of which $209 was cash.
Shenandoah Collegiate Institute and School of Music. The present year is the best in the history
of the School. The school is being manned by strong and efficient teachers. The board deeply regretted
to lose Dr. E. U. Hoenshel as principal. For 13 years the Dr. was closely identified with the interests of
the School and, with his associates, Profs. J. H. Ruebush and C. A. Funkhouser, has laid strong
foundations for the future. Prof. J. H. Ruebush is the present general manager, with Prof. C. A.
Funkhouser as associate. Through the earnest and untiring efforts of Prof. J. H. Ruebush, a new college
building is to be erected during the summer. The last session of the Conference made the raising of the
debt on the Institute the special work of the Superintendent. I was not faithless in this matter, but found
it practically impossible for me to do this work. I have given all the aid I could in keeping before our
people the importance of the School and its needs.
License Granted. Layman’s License to Preach the Gospel was granted by the quarterly
conference on Elk Garden circuit, October 9th, 1909, to Bro. George W. Mackley.
1910 Reports 156
