THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
By R. D. Hottel
The eighteenth annual session of the Virginia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at Richmond, Va., according to appointment, Nov. 8–17, 1901. As we had held a State meeting in the spring, and a local camp-meeting in August, we did not expect a general attendance of our people at this meeting, yet we were glad to see nearly every church represented. Elder H. W. Cottrell, President of the Eastern Union Conference, of which our Conference is a member, Elder O. O. Farnsworth, President of the Chesapeake Conference, and Elder S. M. Cobb, President of the West Virginia Conference, were present to give instruction and counsel in the meetings of the session. The laborers of the State were also present to assist in the work. Best of all, the good Spirit of the Lord was present to move upon hearts; and alienations, differences, and wrong living were confessed, put away, forgiven, and a bond of unity was brought about, such as only the Spirit of God can accomplish. For all this we praise our Heavenly Father, and know that if we follow in the path He has indicated, the results can be but good. A report of the work during the past year did not show many additions in membership, yet a few had accepted the message as a result of the labor put forth. The rainy and stormy weather during the summer hindered the tent work and the local camp-meeting, yet good results are seen, and we trust that the influences which have been set to work in a small way will widen, and that fruit will yet result from the same. The work among the churches has resulted in bringing up the tithes, so that the past year has shown the largest tithe ever paid into the treasury in any one year. We believe the spiritual condition of our people is better also. Only a little more than seven hundred dollars has been received and paid on the heavy indebtedness of the Tract Society Department. The Sabbath-school work showed a better condition than in the past. More books were sold the past year than the year before, and the prospect for the future is bright in this line of our work. The Conference has laid before our people, for their immediate consideration and action, plans which, if carried out, will bring relief and prosperity to the work in the State. The Conference Committee have arranged that the laborers be distributed as follows during the winter:— Elder H. W. Herrel, who has just accepted a call from this Conference to labor in our midst, will be located at Richmond, working for the upbuilding of the church, and looking after the outside interest as the way may open, and also visit other points near by as the committee may require. Elder B. F. Purdham will go to Lynchburg, and labor in that city as the way may open. Elder T. H. Painter will continue the work assigned him at Clifton Forge and other points near by for the present.803 Brother Geo. W. Lewis will labor at Charlottesville and other points arranged by the committee, doing Bible work, canvassing, etc., as the way may open. Brother J. A. Strickland will remain in Newport News, teaching the church school already started, and giving what attention he can to work at that point for the present. Brother M. S. Wooding will work among his people as in the past, under the direction of the Conference Committee. Dr. A. M. Neff will still continue to have charge of the Tract Society Department, performing the duties of this office in harmony with the constitution. He will also collect and adjust the accounts of this department, and will receive orders for trade books, tracts, supplies, etc., in harmony with the recommendation passed by the Conference. Sister B. F. Purdham will have charge of the Sabbath-school Department, and will perform the duties of that office in harmony with the constitution. The Pacific Press Publishing Company, New York City, will still have charge of the canvassing work in the State, and all who are thinking of entering this branch of the work should address Brother J. M. Calvert, Greensboro, Md., who is the State agent. May the Lord bless every effort to His glory.