Birmingham state herald., 1897-06-03
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
Or the First Methodist Church Held Last Night--Memoral on the Death
 of John w. Sears.

: The second quarterly conference of the First Methodist church for the current year was held in the Sunday school room of that church last night, after re- ligous services, conducted by the pas tor, Dr. G. c. Kelley.
 pr. J. w. Newman presiding elder, took the chair and reports were heard from the various departments.
 The pastors report on pastoral instruc- tion- of children was good and showed diligent work on his part
 The treaSurers report was as follows:
 Paid pastor in charge, $625.
 Paid presiding elder, $75.
 Paid city commissioner (coloredO $S.
 Paid for parsonages, $60.65
 Sunday school supplies, $139.32.
 Relief of poor, $79S0.
 Incidental, $59O.S9.
 The amount raised on children's day was $30.19.
 The report shows an increase over last year. isltslt.t t4.f.f
 The report on the cause of missions was submitted and was encouraging, and the church has good prospects of paying all claims against it for that purpose.
 The espastor read the report on the spir- itual condition of the church, which showed an increase in membership. The accessions during the last three months was 2S, deaths IT, and 16 withdrawals.
 The special committee appointed at the last conference to draft a suitable me rnorial tosDr~John w. Sears, reported as follows, which was approved and ordered spread upon the minutes:
 IN. MEMORTAM.
 pr. John w. Sears was born at Sandy Hook, Va, on the 21st of January, 1830 He was the son of,or. Rober, H. and Mrs Mary Sears, of Loudon county, Virginia His early education was obtained from
 
 Flint Hill, Va. At the age of IS he began the study of medicine under his father, and in 1850. after completing a full course, graduated at the University of Pennsyl- vania. ,,..-.,f4
 Returning home, he was engaged for five. years in practicing with his father, and tMm removed to Chattanooga, Tenn. After short time he settled, in 1858. at Summerfiefd, Ala, and there engaged in rhe active duties of his profession On the breaking ou; of the war b=tween the states, in 1861, he entered the army as surgeon and continued in the ser vice in that capacity with various com nands in the Army of Northern Vir- ginla unfla tho, clos. of the war.
 soon after his return to Alabama, he removed to Jefferson county, and in 1871 he ,sed1ed in, Birmingham, which was just then beginning to attract atention, and there, he remained until his death on December. 13, 1896 During his entire residence in our city, until very shortly before his departure, he was in full prac- tics of his profession, and enjoyed a high reputation as a conscientious and sue cessful physician, both among his pa- tients and his professional associates.
 In April, 1857. pr. Sears was married ts' Miss Theodosia "A. Spiller of Abing- don Va. with whom he journeyed through the remainder Of his life in un- broken harmony" and happiness. She survives him and with a legion of friends lamenas. his departure from earth. In early life Dr, Sears identified him. self with the Methodist church, of which he remaincd consistent, useful and hon ored member through. hls life. He was ever ready to resGQpd to the call of duty, and met is demands with earnest ness and unilinching courage. While one of the most amiable and genial of men, he was yet unhending and im- movable in all matters involving princl- ple ard right,
 He was one of the original members