Page 51 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 51
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
and supplied by Rev. A. Negley. Quarterly Meetings held, 49; six of which were held by proxy. One
camp meeting held that continued over two Sabbaths and resulted in great good spiritually and
financially. Preached 158 sermons. Dedicated one church on Opequon Circuit. Reopened one church
in Hagerstown, which is beautifully renovated and furnished inside, and painted outside. This much
needed improvement is creditable to the pastor and people of the congregation. The parsonage in
Boonsboro has been greatly improved through the untiring energy of their pastor, who pressed the
matter, and the good people nobly responding with their money and labor fitted up a comfortable home
for their present and future pastors, which does honor to all concerned.
Our Quarterly Meetings have (with a few exceptions) been largely attended and harmonious.
Our communion seasons have been largely attended and spirited. The ministers on the entire district
have been faithful in the discharge of their duties. Peace and harmony prevail among preachers and
people. Some trouble at one appointment, for which the pastor is not to blame. The salaries of
preachers are generally reported paid in full or guaranteed by the last quarterly conference. The interest
of our Printing Establishment has been remembered and looked after, and the members urged to take the
papers of our church. The Sabbath schools, I think, are in good working condition, well attended and
well cared for by intelligent superintendents and teachers, who are imparting to the dear children the
necessary head and heart culture. Organized a Ministerial Institute with a theological and Sabbath
school normal departments. Two Sabbath School Institutes were held on the district by Col. Cowden—
the first at Chewsville and the second at Keedysville.
Dr. Beall resigned Frederick Circuit December 5th, which was supplied by the appointment of
Rev. D. D. Keedy. Frederick City Mission Station has procured a house of worship in a central portion
of the city. As to myself it has been to me a pleasant year, socially and spiritually, for which I feel
grateful to preachers and people. Salary received, $520.38; presents, $10. Respectfully submitted, J. K.
Nelson, P.E.
South Branch District. Dear brethren: In submitting this report I desire first of all, to
acknowledge the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which has been manifested in every event of the past
year; and secondly, the deep Christian sympathy and brotherly cooperation of my brethren in the work
of the Lord and in my own behalf. The district comprises 7 circuits, 2 missions, and 1 mission station.
Two of these were left by the Stationing Committee to be supplied. This was done by employing Revs.
J. G. Ketterman on Garrett Mission and N. A. Kiracofe on West Augusta Circuit. The camp meeting on
South Branch Circuit was a success every way, leaving the work in a much better condition than before.
Beside this seven of the charges have had revivals that contributed largely to the up-building of the
cause. The efforts to increase the circulation of the church literature and the missionary collections
resulted, we believe, in success. I have my share of the money for the furnishing of our room in Union
Biblical Seminary. One church house in which we have a half interest was completed and dedicated,
considerable money collected on old church debts, while the ground has been secured and work actually
commenced on four others.
The Sabbath school cause, children’s literature and all enterprises for the development of our
young people have made commendable progress. Yet the institutes we were ordered to hold were
largely interfered with by heavy rains falling on seven consecutive Sabbaths of the time allotted for that
work. Discipline is in force everywhere on the district. Westernport Mission Station is virtually
disintegrated owing, as we think, to several causes. First, to the vicious and immoral character of some
who were members; second, the lack of Christian unity necessary to endure the corrections of these
abuses; third, a total lack of harmony with our Discipline and insubordination thereto. I met all my
1881 Reports 41
and supplied by Rev. A. Negley. Quarterly Meetings held, 49; six of which were held by proxy. One
camp meeting held that continued over two Sabbaths and resulted in great good spiritually and
financially. Preached 158 sermons. Dedicated one church on Opequon Circuit. Reopened one church
in Hagerstown, which is beautifully renovated and furnished inside, and painted outside. This much
needed improvement is creditable to the pastor and people of the congregation. The parsonage in
Boonsboro has been greatly improved through the untiring energy of their pastor, who pressed the
matter, and the good people nobly responding with their money and labor fitted up a comfortable home
for their present and future pastors, which does honor to all concerned.
Our Quarterly Meetings have (with a few exceptions) been largely attended and harmonious.
Our communion seasons have been largely attended and spirited. The ministers on the entire district
have been faithful in the discharge of their duties. Peace and harmony prevail among preachers and
people. Some trouble at one appointment, for which the pastor is not to blame. The salaries of
preachers are generally reported paid in full or guaranteed by the last quarterly conference. The interest
of our Printing Establishment has been remembered and looked after, and the members urged to take the
papers of our church. The Sabbath schools, I think, are in good working condition, well attended and
well cared for by intelligent superintendents and teachers, who are imparting to the dear children the
necessary head and heart culture. Organized a Ministerial Institute with a theological and Sabbath
school normal departments. Two Sabbath School Institutes were held on the district by Col. Cowden—
the first at Chewsville and the second at Keedysville.
Dr. Beall resigned Frederick Circuit December 5th, which was supplied by the appointment of
Rev. D. D. Keedy. Frederick City Mission Station has procured a house of worship in a central portion
of the city. As to myself it has been to me a pleasant year, socially and spiritually, for which I feel
grateful to preachers and people. Salary received, $520.38; presents, $10. Respectfully submitted, J. K.
Nelson, P.E.
South Branch District. Dear brethren: In submitting this report I desire first of all, to
acknowledge the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which has been manifested in every event of the past
year; and secondly, the deep Christian sympathy and brotherly cooperation of my brethren in the work
of the Lord and in my own behalf. The district comprises 7 circuits, 2 missions, and 1 mission station.
Two of these were left by the Stationing Committee to be supplied. This was done by employing Revs.
J. G. Ketterman on Garrett Mission and N. A. Kiracofe on West Augusta Circuit. The camp meeting on
South Branch Circuit was a success every way, leaving the work in a much better condition than before.
Beside this seven of the charges have had revivals that contributed largely to the up-building of the
cause. The efforts to increase the circulation of the church literature and the missionary collections
resulted, we believe, in success. I have my share of the money for the furnishing of our room in Union
Biblical Seminary. One church house in which we have a half interest was completed and dedicated,
considerable money collected on old church debts, while the ground has been secured and work actually
commenced on four others.
The Sabbath school cause, children’s literature and all enterprises for the development of our
young people have made commendable progress. Yet the institutes we were ordered to hold were
largely interfered with by heavy rains falling on seven consecutive Sabbaths of the time allotted for that
work. Discipline is in force everywhere on the district. Westernport Mission Station is virtually
disintegrated owing, as we think, to several causes. First, to the vicious and immoral character of some
who were members; second, the lack of Christian unity necessary to endure the corrections of these
abuses; third, a total lack of harmony with our Discipline and insubordination thereto. I met all my
1881 Reports 41
