Page 59 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 59
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
energy and perseverance, the aggregate result of which was about 575 conversions and 440 accessions.
A camp meeting was held near Mt. Jackson, within the bounds of Edinburg Circuit, which in some
respects was in advance of such held previously. The results were good spiritually and financially. The
outgrowth of this meeting is a permanent organization known as the Shenandoah Valley Assembly,
whose meetings will be held annually, during the month of August, on this ground.
The Sunday school interests are on the advance. Our literature is generally circulated. The
Telescope interests were carefully looked after, and I think the reports will show some increase. Three
houses of worship were dedicated during the year, which were erected at an aggregate cost of nearly
$5,000. Others were remodeled and improved. Church property, so far as reported by the Board of
Trustees, was represented as being in good condition and free of debt. A neat, substantial parsonage, a
monument of the devotion and untiring energy of the pastor, Rev. J. E. Widmeyer, was built on
Winchester Mission, at a cost of nearly $700. A site has been selected and lumber put on the ground for
parsonage purposes on Elkton Circuit. A beginning has been made toward a parsonage fund on
Edinburg Circuit. The parsonage on Augusta Circuit has been nearly completed, and a vigorous effort is
now being made to pay the debt thereon.
Of the 10 quarterly conference preachers on the district, but two appeared for examination at the
fourth quarterly meeting. But two church records were presented for examination and improvement on
the last round of quarterlies,
In this connection I report that I was unable to find a colored youth to educate for the Ministry.
To me the year has been a pleasant one. The ministers showed me much kindness, and the laity treated
me with much consideration. Fifty-six quarterly meetings were held—46 in person and 10 by proxy.
Received in salary, $405.18; presents, $25. Respectfully submitted, J. W. Funk, P.E.
South Branch District. Dear brethren: After passing through another year of pleasant work, I
present you my report. First I wish to acknowledge the goodness and mercies of a kind Heavenly
Father, who has blest me with health and gave me a will to work. The District comprises 7 circuits,
4 missions, and 1 station, 12 in all, covering an area of 150 miles square, and embracing a part of three
States. We find in this boundary an industrious, intelligent and enterprising people; they love the
Church, and are true to its Discipline. We need more men consecrated to God to “go up at once and
possess this goodly land.” Our brethren have done and are still doing a good work, but the circuits and
missions are too large. The cry is, “give us more preaching and we are willing to pay more money.”
We have had a promised increase of salary on some of the charges. At our first quarterly conferences
we encouraged our people to pay quarterly, as per Discipline, and wherever we have had faithful
stewards it has been a success.
One camp meeting was held, which was a success. Two church houses have been finished, paid
for, and dedicated, worth $1,500. Secured two-thirds of the stock in the church at Deer Park. We are
negotiating for the church in Franklin, which we hope to accomplish soon. A new school house has
been purchased on New Creek Circuit, and fitted up with pews, etc., ready for dedication. One church
house on Garrett Mission, in progress, will be finished this year. A lot has been secured, and $100
subscribed. A good prospect for building two church houses on North Fork Circuit. Our great need is
church houses. We cannot succeed in school houses or borrowed churches. Our quarterly conferences
have been pleasant, but not as well attended in some places as we desired.
According to direction from the Conference Committee the case of Rev. G. W. Rexroad was
strictly examined into, and his character passed by the unanimous vote of the members of the first
1883 Reports 49
energy and perseverance, the aggregate result of which was about 575 conversions and 440 accessions.
A camp meeting was held near Mt. Jackson, within the bounds of Edinburg Circuit, which in some
respects was in advance of such held previously. The results were good spiritually and financially. The
outgrowth of this meeting is a permanent organization known as the Shenandoah Valley Assembly,
whose meetings will be held annually, during the month of August, on this ground.
The Sunday school interests are on the advance. Our literature is generally circulated. The
Telescope interests were carefully looked after, and I think the reports will show some increase. Three
houses of worship were dedicated during the year, which were erected at an aggregate cost of nearly
$5,000. Others were remodeled and improved. Church property, so far as reported by the Board of
Trustees, was represented as being in good condition and free of debt. A neat, substantial parsonage, a
monument of the devotion and untiring energy of the pastor, Rev. J. E. Widmeyer, was built on
Winchester Mission, at a cost of nearly $700. A site has been selected and lumber put on the ground for
parsonage purposes on Elkton Circuit. A beginning has been made toward a parsonage fund on
Edinburg Circuit. The parsonage on Augusta Circuit has been nearly completed, and a vigorous effort is
now being made to pay the debt thereon.
Of the 10 quarterly conference preachers on the district, but two appeared for examination at the
fourth quarterly meeting. But two church records were presented for examination and improvement on
the last round of quarterlies,
In this connection I report that I was unable to find a colored youth to educate for the Ministry.
To me the year has been a pleasant one. The ministers showed me much kindness, and the laity treated
me with much consideration. Fifty-six quarterly meetings were held—46 in person and 10 by proxy.
Received in salary, $405.18; presents, $25. Respectfully submitted, J. W. Funk, P.E.
South Branch District. Dear brethren: After passing through another year of pleasant work, I
present you my report. First I wish to acknowledge the goodness and mercies of a kind Heavenly
Father, who has blest me with health and gave me a will to work. The District comprises 7 circuits,
4 missions, and 1 station, 12 in all, covering an area of 150 miles square, and embracing a part of three
States. We find in this boundary an industrious, intelligent and enterprising people; they love the
Church, and are true to its Discipline. We need more men consecrated to God to “go up at once and
possess this goodly land.” Our brethren have done and are still doing a good work, but the circuits and
missions are too large. The cry is, “give us more preaching and we are willing to pay more money.”
We have had a promised increase of salary on some of the charges. At our first quarterly conferences
we encouraged our people to pay quarterly, as per Discipline, and wherever we have had faithful
stewards it has been a success.
One camp meeting was held, which was a success. Two church houses have been finished, paid
for, and dedicated, worth $1,500. Secured two-thirds of the stock in the church at Deer Park. We are
negotiating for the church in Franklin, which we hope to accomplish soon. A new school house has
been purchased on New Creek Circuit, and fitted up with pews, etc., ready for dedication. One church
house on Garrett Mission, in progress, will be finished this year. A lot has been secured, and $100
subscribed. A good prospect for building two church houses on North Fork Circuit. Our great need is
church houses. We cannot succeed in school houses or borrowed churches. Our quarterly conferences
have been pleasant, but not as well attended in some places as we desired.
According to direction from the Conference Committee the case of Rev. G. W. Rexroad was
strictly examined into, and his character passed by the unanimous vote of the members of the first
1883 Reports 49
