The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-12
Interesting Discussion Over
 Care of Old Ministers.
Matter Settled by Determining to Increase Energy Toward Enlarg- ing Superannuate Fund-Re-
 ports Received from
 Church Institutions.

1 Five young licensed preachers were ac- cepted on trial yesterday by the Ala, bama Conference of the Methodist Church
 and became members of the conference | Two of these young men are Montgom- | erians.
 The attendance a tthe second days ses- | sion of the Conference was large. A | number of delegates. both lay and clerical
 came in on early trains yesterday and
 attended the meetings of the Conference | Numbers of ministers from other Con- | ference were also present as were minis 1 ters of the various other denominations | in Montgomery. The visitors to the Con- | ference were numerous and throughout
 the whole exercises although the crowd
 was passing in and out continually the | church was filled to its utmost capacity l without using the gallery. Local mem
 bers of the Alabama Conference of the
 African Methodist Church occupied seats l in the gallery.
 The conference was opened at o'clock
 with an eloquent prayer by pr. w. H. | Wild.
 Bishop A. Coke Smith then led the
 Conference in singing the old Methodist | hymn, Were Marching to Zion" No
 organ accompanied the singers. The Bishop raised the tune and the members | of the Conference followed him. This rule prevails at the Conference and the | simple hymns are in this manner made | doubly effective and impressive. The roll of those absent on Wednesday | was called and a number answered present On motion of the secretary, Dr. J. M. Mason, the further calling of the | roll was dispensed with during the rest | of the Conference.
 The minutes of the proceeding day were read and approved.
 A number of visiting ministers were pre- sented to the Bishop by pr. A. L. An drews and by him to the Conference. They were Revs W. E. Faust, L. M. Stevenson Ponder Hammond, J. A. Dowl- | ing, R. W. Anderson and G. W. Town
 send
 J. s. Graves of the Talladega School for the Deaf and Blind addressed the Conference in the interest of the institu- ton. He told of the work the school was i doing and urged the members of the Conference to advise the president of
 the institution of children, who would
 probably be deslrous of entering the school.
 Dr. J. sM. Mason in aashort speech en- dorsed the words of MT. Graves. First Discussion of Day.
 
 the davis session of the Conference arose
 pr. Mason the secretary. read a memorial from the West Virginia Conference for
 the support of the family of Rev. J. A. Newman. deceased. who was formerly a member of the Alabama Conference.
 Dr. Mason explained that it was thirty seven years since Rev. MT. New man had been connected with the Alabama Conference and had, of his own volition, severed his con nection with the Conference. He had. however, established the first Methodist mission in Brazil and had done good work for the church there and in West Virginia. The family he had heard, was in bad financial straits and while he rec ognlzed the fact that the Conference was not legally bound to aid them, still in recognition of the past Services of MT. Newman, he moved to take up volun- tary contribution from the members of the Conference.
 pr. J. w. Rush said that he knew well the case of the Rev. MT. Newman. He had been connected with the Alabama Conference before the war between the States. At the close of the struggle he vowed that he would never become sworn citizen of the United States under the new regime and, left for Brazil with other colonists from Alabama Dr. Rush said that he had good reasons to believe that these colonists left Alabama for the purpose of going to a country where they might practice slavery all of them being men of means. In Brazil. Rev. Mir. New man established local Methodist Church It was under the control of TO conference nor governing body ana was really an independent affair He never apprised the Bishop of his step in nov tha Conference mo- tiied. Finally. however. he returned to the United States and sought readmis- sion into the Alabama Conference. It was refused He then located in west Virginia and died in poverty.
 pr. Rush said that in consideration of these facts he did not see where it would he wise for the Conference to take any action on the matter.
 Dr, J. w. Shores another veteran min ister. substantiated the words of Dr. Rush.
 Bishop Smith also said few words on the record of MT. Newman.
 Dr. A, J. Lamar moved that the Sec retarv of the Conference write the West Virginia body politely declining to take any Conference action in regard to the memorial.
 Dr Mason withdrew his motion and that of pr. Lamar was unanimously car ried.
 Dr Seth Ward of the Texas Confer ence was introduced to the Conference and spoke interestingly for a few min utes in the interest of the Methodist pup Ilcatons.
 Dr. A. J. Lamar read communca- +ion from the Board of Trustees of the entire church. calling the attention of the Conference to the action of the General .c,onference in reference to the raising or funds for the maintenance of superah- nuates. their widows and orphans Dr' Lamar moved that the communication he referred to the joint Committee o" Eirance. It was so ordered.
 Report of Finance Committee.
 Dr Lamar also made the following re- n,rt from the Finance Committee whlch was adopted: ----.- .-.....oa
 rTfe Committee to whom was referred tho resolution signed hy J. w. kllouhn and others. adopted at the last General reports that while we reafze the desirahility and importance ot pet ta, proyision for our superaunuates we do not deem 1t expedient at this tune 10 Increase the assessment for this pdT- nose In reference to providing hoH for our superannuates in view of the &'- tion of the last Conference in prDYldl"s for a permanent superannuate [, -l' W