Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-31
THE FIRST CONFERENCE
Of the Birmingham District Ep-
 worth League
PROVES VERY ENCOURAGING.
Bessemer's Welcome Pleasing 0ne-lnter- esting Exercises Morning, Afternoon
 and Evening.

and Evening.
 The first regular session of the Bir- mingham district Epworth league con vened at Bessemer yesterday at 10 o'clock. The days conference consists of three sessions morning, afternoon and evening, and the spirit manifested has shown better than anything else ever has the great interest manifested by young Methodists in the work of the Lord. AL most without exception those who had been assigned to posts on the programme responded with excellent papers.
 The mornig session opened promptly at the hour, with District President Rev. Charles H. Frye in the chair. After a song and prayer by Rev. Mir. Mccoy and MT. James Cowin the visiting leaguers were made welcome by the reading of a most excellent address prepared by Miss Lulu Judson, who. on account of sickness, assigned the reading thereof to Rev. E H. Hawkins. This paper met with re- sponse from MT. J. B. Wadsworth of Jonesvllle on behalf of the visiting mem- bers.
 After a social ten minutes spent in handshaking the topic of the morn ing, 'The How in the Charity and Help Department was taken up, o,,o Miss ts3a M Mary b Howlett of East Benevolence." She said that all who need- ed love. sympathy, care, money, food or raiment were proper objects of benevo- lence.
 Rev G. w. Reed of the Twenty-flrst Avenue church had been assigned the subject of improper Objects of Charity" but said he thought there were no such objects, but that the error came by an improper application of benevoence to the object. The giving indiscrlminately of money, food. etc. when other atten- tion was needed Instead
 F. s. McCord of Avondale told the leaguerS of many ways to raise money for this department. The discussion on the subject was full. free and instructive, and was participated in largely by young laymen.
 Afternoon Session.
 J. s. Kennedy, president First Church league, Birmingham, was in the chair. After general handshal1ing, lasting thirty minutes, devotional services were conducted by Dr. R. F. Lovelady of Pratt City, followed by a solo by Miss Jennette Moore of the First church, Bir- mingham.
 The topic for the afternoon session was How in the Literary Department" Miss Ludie Palmer of East Lake, in an able paper told the members What to Read" and pr. E. T. Glass gave many ways of stimulating good reading. This was followed by an open discussion of the subject
 The next subject was How to Conduct Public Meetings" and in an exhaustive paper prepared by Mrs. John Brazeal, much. good thought was suggested on this line, which met hearty response from the audience and called forth a spirited discussion of the subject
 Social Work" a very important fea- ture of league work, was discussed in two strong hU Mice Pirdia of Avondale and Mrs. w. D. Perdue of St. PauPs. The social feature of the Methodist church was brought out by them, and one of the reasons why there are so few long-faced Methodist made clear.
 Some necessary business was then taken up and disposed of, and an ad- journment ordered until o'clock
 A notable feature of the conference has been the willingness-eve the eager ness-of the young laymen to take part in the discussions. They had something to say, wanted to say it, and if the de- livery III some cases was faulty it was due in measure to embarrassment, which, however, in most cases soon passed away, and the impression made upon the minds of the audience by some of their remarks was very strong and wholly for the good.
 Evening Session
 opened at o'clock by singing and de- votional service, conducted by Rev F H. Gardner of Fairview followed by a solo by Mrs. w. K. Simpson, The sub ject of the evening was then taken up, and Mr. Howell Moss of Woodlawn and Miss Eula Reynolds of Fairview told the conference of "The How in the De- votional Department" which subject is vital question in all leagues, and their papers brought out many interesting thoughts and suggestions. The subject brought out many good reports from leagues as to the development of a spirit to take part in public prayer and service,a and of services held in mission- ary spirit in places where the people would otherwise be without public wor- ship.
 At the close of the discussion the Bes- semer league quartette rendered pleas ing number, after which Dr. J. c. Nor ris, the beloved pastor of the First church, Birmingham, told the young peo- pie How to Win Men,
 The following resolutions were adopted:
 Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt thanks to Rev. E. H. Hawkins, pastor, and to c. H. Frye president of the Bes- semer league for the pleasant and grace ful manner in which they have enter tained us; to the Christian people of Bes- semef for their generous hospitality; to the railroads for courtesies; to any and all who have in any way contributed to a most pleasant and profitable day to us. !. D. ELLIS
 J. s. KENNEDY.
 The Pratt City league quartette enter tained the conference
 The league song was sung, and with the hearty he ndshake and the benedic- tion by Dr. S. M. Hosmer, the meeting adjourned