The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-07
MINISTERS ON THE MARCH.
Continued from Eighth Page.)

two years; Monticello, two years, and Tai
lahassee, four years.
He was sent to Buena Vista circuit his
first year in the South Georgia conference,
and to Mulberry Street church. in Macon,
the following four years, and to St. Paul,
Columbus, the year after. He was trans
ferred to the Pacific conference by Bishop
kavanaugh and stationed at Santa Rosa,
then the strongest station of the Southern
Methodist church on the Pacific coast and
the seat of the Pacific College.
Finding, at the end of TWO years, that
he could not stand the climate, he asked
to be returned to the South Georgia con-
ference. He was appointed preacher in
charge Of Wesley Monumental church, Sa-
vannah, and served here for three years.
DIR. Branch was then for three years,
preacher in charge of Trinity church, Sa-
Vannah, and was appointed presiding ell
der of the Thomasvilie district in 1884.
When his four years term was out on
this district he was put in charge of First
church, Americas, which he served two
years, and was then appointed presiding
elder of the NaldoSta district. AT the end
of two years he was again appointed pre-
siding elder of the Townsville district,
and remained in that charge four years.
For the past two years he has been pre-
siding elder of the North Macon district.
He has been elected to represent his con-
ference in the general conference four
a
eral board of missions for eight years.
He has been much in demand for com
mencement occasions, ana after the COM
mencement sermon of. Emory College,
which he preached in 1855 the trustees
conferred upon him the degree Of doctor
of divinity.
He has enjoyed almost perfect health
for many years and, though more than
SO years of age, is able to do as much
work as at any period of his life.
Rev. John \. Thompson comes from
brownsville to fill the place of Rev. G.
G. n. MacDoncll in the presiding elder
ship of the Savannah district Mr.. Mac,
Donell goes 70 the First church at Way
cross. After one year of service on this
district. He was very successful as pre-
siding elder and no doubt is felt that he
VIII be equally so in his new charge.
Rev. Mr.. Thompson is in his SD year,
and native Of Alabama, Colbert coun-
ty. When quite young he was admit
ted on trial into the travelling connection
by the Tennessee annual conference, which
at that time embraced a portion of North
Alabama. He entered the confederate
army under Gen. Forrest; Or. D. c. Kelly
being has captain. At the close of the war
he resumed his life work. which has since,
without a single interruption, been pros
ecuted with great success.
DR.. Thompson was secretary of the
North Alabama conference eighteen con-
secutive years, during which time he filed
the leading pulpits of that conference. He
was also chosen by that conference as
representative to the general conference.
In 1878 he remained at his post during
the fearful epidemic of yellow fever, most
of the time being the only minister in the
city of Florence, Ala. During the seige,
his conduct and laborious services Were
recognized by placing his name as one of
the heroes of that scourge. 1t was a
worthy reward that in his labors he made
no discrimination because of denomina-
tional lines. His one purpose was to find
the sick and provide them with all the
aids and comforts money could buy or in
teligent Skill suggest.
At the close of the epidemic the city
presented him with beautiful watch and
chain, which was an expression of regard
by the Jew and Gentle and persons rep
resenting all the churches of the city.
The University of Alabama conferred up
on him the degree of d. D., which he the
more appreciates because 1t is a state in
stitution and because it is the rule to de-
Ter all action on any name presented by
friends twelve months for investigation.
The morning he babe good-by to his old
conference to come TO his new home, the
conference passed. by rising vote reso-
buttons expressing regret al his departure
assuring him that If in the future he
should return. he would be received with
open arms massive gold-headed cane
was presented him.
Seven years since, at the urgent request
OF Bishop HaYgOod, he was transferred to
the South Georgia conference, and ap,
pointed to Fort Valley. Thence he went
first to the church at Brunswick for two
years. The second year he was again 10
face the yellow fever scourge. Because
of his work in 1873 and extensive acquaint-
ance III Alabama, more than $1,000 was
sent directly 10 him for the yellow fever
sufferers in Brunswick.
He has just finished four years mas
torate in Townsville, and if a people's
appreciation is 10 be estimated by axpres-
sion, he is appreciated in Thomasvine. The
regret expressed that the limit of the law
severed his relation there was universal
and strong.
Rev. o. F. Cook is a young preacher
and is well known through his identifea.
ton with the Epworth League work of the
state He Is district secretary of the
league. AS preacher he is strong and his
personality is such as Will be sure to at.
tract the members of his new charge. In
losing Mr. Ryder, whom the congregat ton
OF Grace church highly esteemed. the
members are to be congratulated upon
having secured such a worthy successor.
Three sessions of the conference wore
held yesterday. The first commenced AZ
O'Clock. 1t had been thousbt
mat from then until ocloel,
whlch has been the time
Tor closing would be sufficient for tbe
transaction of all the remaining business
~. !. was found that another afternoon
session was necessary. This was baId 81
o'clock, and adjourned at o'clock IN,
closing session was last night. Most ~
tne business had been concluded nv ina
elIne, only few items that il was i'm
portant to have come before Tho 80,
Dody as it would be present then bein,
held over 'i0ii' pei'it
Inc next session of the conference will
ne held at Hawkinsvine This was deter
mined upon at the morning meeting, III,
P,Oposltlon to make HawkinsvilIe n,
pace Of meeting was SUBMITTED h,