Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-16
CONFERENCE AT PRATT CITY Big Gatheringof Northern Meth
 OdistS in Alabama. BISHOP HURST PRESIDED Full Proceedings of Session of Unusual In- terest to the enomnation-Enter-
 taining Song Service


 ference at Pratt City was an interesting
 session. Bishop John T. Hurst, D. D.,
 IL. D., presided.
 The ministers and some of the lay elec-
 toral conference delegates began to arr
 rive at Pratt City as early as Tuesday
 morning, many taking a look through
 the city of Birmingham on their way.
 Some preliminary work was done on
 Tuesday in the examination of classes
 in conference studies. A large and en- thusiaStic audience gathered at night to
 listen to pr. Alderman in his wonderful
 and equally enthusiastic lecture concern
 ing the Wonders Beyond the Rockies"
 Ihe doctor held the attention of the au- d1ence for one hour and a half, and then said that half had not been told. Brother J. s. Johnson, with character
 istic energy, assigned the incoming brethren to temporary quarters. The regular session began at a. m. yesterday with religious exercises, in- cluding the sacrament.
 G E. Ackerman D. D., of Chattanooga was elected secretary and the usual com
 mittees appointed.
 Dr. w. A. Spencer, secretary of the
 church extension society, was introduced
 and spoke to the conference, in the inter- est of that work
 Friday morning, 10 to 11:30, was named as the time for the reception of proba- tioners into full membership in the con ference, the election of delegates to the general conference and the vote on the proposed constitutional amendments. James Williams, presiding elder of An
 niston district, made his report, followed by the elders of his district James Webb next reported Birming ham district and his elders gave their report
 P. w. Blackwell, presiding elder of the
 Decatur district. reported, in turn fol- lowed by the usual examination of char acter and report from the elders. D. c. Beltz of Kinsey, DeFuniak dis trict, and his effective elders were called and reported.
 These reports indicate great progress, although secured by heroic efforts and great depriva tion.
 After the examination of more of the travelling ministers the time for adjourn ment drew near.
 The pastor of the Presbyterian church and three ministers of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. were intro duced; also the superintendent of the American Bible society. The night service began at z D. m. with song and story by the famous Dr. Spen- cer, of Church Extension" fame, which
 was followed by a lecture in the doctors inimitable style. He captured the minds | and hearts of the hearers. After telling of the wonderful work done by his roommate at Evanston. III, at the time of the wreck of the Lady | he asked each minister present to do his | best and proceeded to re-enlist soldiers | in his royal army and recruit others. Afternoon Session. The First Methodist Episcopal church | presented busy scene yesterday regular business session every one was busy. Three classes | were being examined in the different | courses of study. Dr. Alderman and Rev. H. J. Brown were the examiners on | the class for admission; Revs. w. P.
 Weston, H. w. Jones and R. w. Burde- shaw for the second year; Revs. J. B. Miller T. s. Rains and A. P Vandiver for the third year. Dr. Hamlin of Kin | sey president of Mallalien seminary was | busy attending to the interests of his school. Rev. J. l.. Brasher was engaged in statistical work. While the genial presence of pr. Spencer and his songs added pleasure and profit to all. Quite a number of lay delegates from different parts of the district came In MT. w. Evans, sheriff of Cleburne coun- | ty.
 Might Session. The night session was opened by a l song service, led by Dr. w. A. Spencer
 His songs thrilled every heart. A num-
 
 | among which was l"My Mothers | Hands," Few men are so close to the | hearts of the conference as Dr. Spencer. | After the song service pr. Spencer was | favorably introduced by the pastor, Rev. | J. G. Johnstson, to the audience in an address in which he expressed the pleas | ure of the conference in having the doc | tor present. and said if the conferences had the affection for the beloved doctor | that the Alabama conference had he | would be one of our next bishops. Few
 men are so much beloved or so justly popular. His address was devoted to the work of the church in the elevation of He dwelt on her personal work to the poor and the needy and destitute of the world. Hearts were touched and the most intense interest was manifested. The worldwide mission of Meth odism was eloquently depicted. of her contract to carry the message of saliva to the uttermost ends of the earth The | Bible is printed in twenty-seyen different languages to supply the needs of the
 Methodist Episcopal church. Bibles are printed for the Portuguese, French Bo-
 hemians, Italians, Chinese. Japanese, | etc. -..5 ..t. The real work of the ministry consists In winning the poor and neglected in our own country. for from such places may come forth>a man who will be leader 1 in the church and the world. It was ir- deed an eloquent address, which could not be adequately described or fully ap- | preciated unless heard. Pledges were | taken for church extension. The audience was treated with anoth- | CT song by the doctor, another by the ex- cellent choir. and the meeting adjourned | with the ~benediction.
 AUCTION!