The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-19
SEVERAL GHANGES
 AMONG METHODISTS
North Alabama Conference
 Meets in Lafayette Today
MUCH WORK IS IN STORE
The Birmingham District Has Many Churches In the Conference and the Proceedings Will Be Watched
 With Interest From Here.

LaFayette. November 1s-(Speeial.)- )- The North Alabama conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. south, con- venes in it's thirty-third annual session in the Methodist church of LaFayette tomorrow morning.
 The business of the conference really begins today, however. The presiding elders are in session with the bishop, and the various examining committees are examining the applicants for admission and the undergraduate members of the conference. About eighty preachers are now in town, and the. other members of the conference and lay delegates will arrive during the day.
 The chairmen of the various examining committees are: Applicants. the Rev. J. D. Simpson; first year. the Rev. E. M. Glenn; second year. the Rev. c. M. Hars- ley; third year, the Rev G. w. Read; fourth year, the Rev J. F. studivant. Before these committees are about sixty preachers who are being examined on the course of study prescribed by the bishops of the church. The presiding bishop is Bishop Joseph s. Key of Sher- man, Tex. Bishop Key is the oldest ef- fectfve bishop of the church, though still active and vigorous. He was born at La Grange. Ga, seventy-three years ago. and was elected bishop in 1Ss6
 This has been a year of general pros perity throughout the conference, and 1t is probable that the reports of pastors will reveal a considerable increase in church membership, as well as a gratify- ing financial advancement.
 Number of Changes.
 It is likely that the appointments as made by the bishop will show number of changes among the preachers as more than the usual number have served their present charges the time lmit-four years.
 Among the number who have served the four-year term are the Presiding Elders of the Gadsden, Taladega and Tus- caloosa districts.
 The Birmingham district contains many Methodist churches and the proceedings of the conference will be followed with interest.
 There will not be many changes in pas LOTS m The CnurcneS or this district. The Rev. J. P. McFerrin, pastor of the First Methodist church in Birmingham, will doubtless be returned to his present charge as he has served this church but three years, and four years Is the maxi mum number. It Is also thought that the Rev. J. D. Simpson, presiding elder will be returned. The Rev. J. I. Williams of Ensley. the Rev. L. c. Branscomb of St. Johns church, and the Rev. G. w. Read of Bessemer will be transferred to other charges, as their terms of four years service will terminate at this con- ference.
 The presiding elder of the Tuscaloosa district the Rev. D L. Parrish and the presiding elder of the Talladega district, the Rev. J. L. Britain, will be changed, as their terms have expired.
 Interesting Figures Shown.
 The report of the Methodist churches of the Birmingham district, rendered to the conference last year, showed the fol- lowing interesting figures:
 Total members, 9350.
 Forty-eight houses of worship valued at $266, 400.
 Twen ty-one parsonages valued at $44,065.
 Value of other property, $l0,200.
 Forty-eight Sunday schools, with 5535 members.
 Total cash raised for all purposes dur ing the year ending November l. 1901, $66,- 697.4S. Of this amount $22,oO4.s3 was pay