Page 171 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 171
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
Jones Spring, was received into the quarterly conference on his credentials from the M. E. Church, and
was recommended to this Conference for admission.
Sunday Schools. The work of the Sunday schools has been excellent. We have reason to be
justly proud of the work that is being done in many of our schools. Greater interest is being manifest.
More schools are being continued the whole year. The adult movement is coming into more general
favor, and more classes are being organized. The Home Department and Cradle Roll are being
appreciated more and more. The Rev. George P. Hott class of Berkeley Springs carries the banner and
wears the crown. The results here are simply marvelous. With an enrollment of 842 and an attendance
of 400 in a town of 866 population shows that work is being done. May I not ask, Why cannot other
places do proportionately well? For the largest development of this important department, I want to
suggest: (1) The goal for new scholars during the coming year be not less than 5,000. This would be
about 36 increase per school. Our church membership last year was 12,677 and our enrollment in our
Sunday schools only 11,784. For this reason I have suggested that our goal be not less than 5,000.
(2) That each school use the first Sabbath of each month for missions. (3) That more attention be given
to the training of our young people in teaching—organize more teacher training classes. (4) That a
greater effort be made to lead the children to Christ—have more decision days.
Young People’s Christian Endeavor Union. The convention held at Harrisonburg during the past
year was of great worth. The addresses and work done was an inspiration to those who attended.
Brother L. A. Armentrout, the energetic president, has shown himself of great value as a leader of our
young people. Greater things await the young people of our church, and there is no better place for
Christian training than in the Y.P.C.E.U. We ought to have more societies. Only 50 Seniors and 15
Juniors reported last year. Why not have 100 Seniors and 40 Juniors? Can it be done? It surely can, if
we will do our part. I want to appeal to the Ministry and Laity of this Conference to see that a good
society is organized at your appointment; and, if you have one, see to it that an organization is effected
at every appointment on your charge.
Ladies’ Aid. This organization is doing splendid work and is very helpful to the appointment and
charge. In many instances the improvements made are due to this society. New societies have been
organized that have been very successful, and the older societies have done nobly. Special mention
should be made of the work done at Staunton, where the society raised $722.49; and of Berkeley
Springs, where the society raised during the year $310. An effort should be made to organize a society
at every appointment. Woman’s Missionary Association. The missionary spirit is stirring the
Conference as never before. There has been organized by Sister Ida Judy 17 new societies during the
year, making a total of 31 societies in the Conference, and they have paid $576.95 to the Conference
Treasurer. The next meeting will be held at Martinsburg, the time will be named later. This meeting
should be largely attended by the Ministry as well as the Laity. Our sisters deserve our heartiest
sympathy and support.
The Larger Field. While there is a great work to be done within our Conference, there is still a
larger work lying beyond us. For my part, I am not satisfied with our present occupied territory, while
so much of the States lying within the bounds of our Conference is unoccupied. We ought to, during
this year, visit our cities and see if we cannot effect an opening. Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth,
Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and other places should be entered as soon as practicable. May
the Lord give us an expanded vision of our larger possibilities. And may plans be made looking to the
possession of the land. Evangelistic Work. Our Conference has been blessed during the year with a
goodly degree of the evangelistic spirit. Good meetings have been held on a number of the fields. Rev.
1911 Reports 161
Jones Spring, was received into the quarterly conference on his credentials from the M. E. Church, and
was recommended to this Conference for admission.
Sunday Schools. The work of the Sunday schools has been excellent. We have reason to be
justly proud of the work that is being done in many of our schools. Greater interest is being manifest.
More schools are being continued the whole year. The adult movement is coming into more general
favor, and more classes are being organized. The Home Department and Cradle Roll are being
appreciated more and more. The Rev. George P. Hott class of Berkeley Springs carries the banner and
wears the crown. The results here are simply marvelous. With an enrollment of 842 and an attendance
of 400 in a town of 866 population shows that work is being done. May I not ask, Why cannot other
places do proportionately well? For the largest development of this important department, I want to
suggest: (1) The goal for new scholars during the coming year be not less than 5,000. This would be
about 36 increase per school. Our church membership last year was 12,677 and our enrollment in our
Sunday schools only 11,784. For this reason I have suggested that our goal be not less than 5,000.
(2) That each school use the first Sabbath of each month for missions. (3) That more attention be given
to the training of our young people in teaching—organize more teacher training classes. (4) That a
greater effort be made to lead the children to Christ—have more decision days.
Young People’s Christian Endeavor Union. The convention held at Harrisonburg during the past
year was of great worth. The addresses and work done was an inspiration to those who attended.
Brother L. A. Armentrout, the energetic president, has shown himself of great value as a leader of our
young people. Greater things await the young people of our church, and there is no better place for
Christian training than in the Y.P.C.E.U. We ought to have more societies. Only 50 Seniors and 15
Juniors reported last year. Why not have 100 Seniors and 40 Juniors? Can it be done? It surely can, if
we will do our part. I want to appeal to the Ministry and Laity of this Conference to see that a good
society is organized at your appointment; and, if you have one, see to it that an organization is effected
at every appointment on your charge.
Ladies’ Aid. This organization is doing splendid work and is very helpful to the appointment and
charge. In many instances the improvements made are due to this society. New societies have been
organized that have been very successful, and the older societies have done nobly. Special mention
should be made of the work done at Staunton, where the society raised $722.49; and of Berkeley
Springs, where the society raised during the year $310. An effort should be made to organize a society
at every appointment. Woman’s Missionary Association. The missionary spirit is stirring the
Conference as never before. There has been organized by Sister Ida Judy 17 new societies during the
year, making a total of 31 societies in the Conference, and they have paid $576.95 to the Conference
Treasurer. The next meeting will be held at Martinsburg, the time will be named later. This meeting
should be largely attended by the Ministry as well as the Laity. Our sisters deserve our heartiest
sympathy and support.
The Larger Field. While there is a great work to be done within our Conference, there is still a
larger work lying beyond us. For my part, I am not satisfied with our present occupied territory, while
so much of the States lying within the bounds of our Conference is unoccupied. We ought to, during
this year, visit our cities and see if we cannot effect an opening. Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth,
Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and other places should be entered as soon as practicable. May
the Lord give us an expanded vision of our larger possibilities. And may plans be made looking to the
possession of the land. Evangelistic Work. Our Conference has been blessed during the year with a
goodly degree of the evangelistic spirit. Good meetings have been held on a number of the fields. Rev.
1911 Reports 161
