Virginia Conference
--
Sixth Day.--A resolution was adopted recommending the Union Seamen's Friend Society of Virginia to the favorable notice of the
Churches and people of the Conference, and requesting the
Bishop to re-appoint
Rev. Francis J. Boggs as
Chaplain for the port of
Richmond and agent of the Society:
Rev. Dr. Doggett introduced the report of the publishing committee of the Richmond Christian Advocate, from which it appeared that the committee had faithfully discharged their duties, but had been compelled to borrow money from bank to meet the liabilities of the concern.
The close of the year showed that the office was still embarrassed, and that the subscription list had decreased about 560 names.
This had been attributed to the editorial management, and the laxity in that to the financial condition of the office.
It appeared that its profits during the past fiscal year were $570.15. The liabilities of the office were $8,019.30, and its assets in debts scattered through the whole country was some $20,000, not one-tenth of which could be collected. --The committee recommended that $2,000 be immediately raised for its support, and that the laity be represented in its management, as in some other of the enterprises of the
Church.
After some discussion as to an item in relation to a former "publishing committee,"
On motion, the report was for the present laid on the table.
Wm. H. Christian, (his character being called and passed,) Presiding Elder of the
Farmville District, said this year had been the most laborious of his life.
He had attended nearly all his quarterly meetings.
Methodism was much esteemed there.
About $25,000 have been raised in the district for the uses of the
Church.
There was an improvement in the church buildings.
The negroes were well cared for. The missionary collection was large, and would have been larger had not the financial pressure come upon the country.
H. B. Cowles, agent for Randolph Macon College, reported that he had collected $12,000, and would have gotten much more but for the depressed financial condition of the wheat and tobacco growing country.
His character was passed.
B. R. Duval reported that since November, the date of his appointment as agent of the
Book and Tract Society, he had sold 180 shares of the stock, making in all 760 shares at $100 each, making in all $76,000, besides collecting sums amounting in the aggregate to $7,835.42, which, with the collections of another gentleman, amounted to $10,000. His character was passed.
Adjourned.
