The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-13
Work of Four Districts Was
 Submitted.
Progress Shown by Church News papers, Epworth League and Societies-Eloquent Sermon in Afternoon by Br.
 J. J. Tygert.

Reports from pastors of various church. es of the Alabama Methodist Conference, received at yesterdays session, indicate that Methodism in this State is growing and the work of the church since the last annual Conference has been pro ductive of excellent results.
 Four of the nine districts of the Confer ence reported yesterday. While there were complaints by some pastors of hard times and poor crops, the average condition Of the churches seemed to be flourshing. Collections were reported to he in full by a majority of the pastors the spirit ual condition of the members. in the main excellent. Nearly every one of those who reported said that the membership of the churches was taking move interest in good literature and church periodicals Auxiliary societies, such as the Eoworth League, Ladies Aid Society, Home and Foreign Mission Societies were reported | as progressing.
 The reportS on the Sunday Schools were also highly satisfactory.
 Dr. Hurt of the Church Street Church i of Selma announced yesterday that he would make an effort to have the next | Conference held in the Central City. Third Days Session. | The third days session of the Copfer- | ence was opened at g o'clock with deyo- 1 tional exercises led by Rev. Seth Ward. D. D., Assistant Missionary Secretary of | the church.
 | The Conference was called to order by | Bishop A. Coke Smith large con course of delegates and visitors were pres l ent
 The minutes of Thursdays session were read by the Secretary. Dr. J. M. Mason, | and approved by the Conference | Rev. J. M Mum, formerly a member | of the Ala5ama Presbytery of the Pres l byteran Church. took the vows of the Methodist Church and on showing his credentials as a Presbyterian minister Tn | good standing, was admitted to the elder ship and in full fellowship with the Con- l ference.
 Dr. Robinson, President of the North | Alabama Conference, was introduced to the Conference by the Bishop. The following resolutions in regard to | Rev. F.. l.. Crawford of the Alabama | Conference who has been transferred by i Bishop Smith to the Texas Conference were unanimously adopted: | Whereas. Bishop A. Coke Smith has 1 transferred to the Texas Conference, Rev. E. L. Crawford therefore, Be it resolved, That we regret the re- moval from among us of a brother whose sweet disposition and efficient services | both as an itnerant preacher and as an officer of this ConReyence, has eRdeaYed ] him to all our members.
 Second. That we recommend Brother Crawford to the love and confidence of our brethren of the Texas COnference, | and let our prayers ascend for his suc- cess in his new field of labor
 Dr. J. A. Rice Introduced. 1 Dr. John A. Rice, transferred from the South Carolina Conference to the Ala I bama Conference, was introduced. Dr
 Rice comes to Alabama with the esteem of his people of South Carolina, by whom
 he was regarded as one of the strongest
 of divInes He is said to be an eloquent speaker.
 Dr. Rice will preach Sunday morning at the First Baptist Church.
 In the absenceB6f Editor James E. Me- I Coy. Rev A P. West of The Alabama Christian Advocate. was introduced and presented the Interest of the Alabama organ of the two Conferences. He was nneXbectcdly called tS Birmingham on l account of illness in his family, and left ! yesterday.
 Consideration of the report of the Board of Education was made the special order for Il occck' this rreunfng.
 The Committee on Gonference Relations recommended the following fer superan- nuqted relation: ReVs. A. H. Mitchell. ". I. Powers. J. w Shores. S. H; Cox. W. A McCarty. P. D. Gayle B. l.. Sel- man. R. Smiley. ". H, Morris D. J. Wright. J. S. Williams. r. C. Hanley' c. F. Fisher. D. ?. Reeves. J. @. An drew. F. NJ. Turner. W. P. H. Conperly, "A. A. Eashy, S. A. PilIev' and w. J. Price and for the slIpernumorary relation | J. K. Powell.
 Later in the sessioR objection was Bais- ed by Dr. T. J. Mapgpm to the placing of Rev. J. K. Powell amopg the super numeraries and not on the superannuate