The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-18
DIOCESAN ECHOES.

A delegate to he recent Episcopal coun-
ell gives the following interesting account
of his experience at Demopolis and sum-
mary of the business transacted:
1t was the privilege of the Episcopal
church in this diocese to meet this year
In its annual council in the old city of
Demopolis. The parish church, Trinity,
is singularly beautiful, well furnished
and eprfectly adapted INTELLECTUALLY to
its community. The delegates who at
tended the council from Birmingham re-
port delightful time, by reason of the
gracious hospitality of the Demopolis
people. The aged rector. the Rev ]. A.
Harrison, d. D., has the love of the en-
tire community 1t is unusual that one
clergyman's ministry of fifty years
should have been spent in two charges,
but such has been DIR. Harrison's expe-
rience. Before coming to Alabama he
spent 20 years in one charge In Tennessee
and has thus far been rector Of Trinity
church, Demopolis, for % years. May
he be spared for many more years of USE
fitness The change of the chureh's
name was not discussed The council
feeling that there were matters of great
er practical Importance, a consideration
of this proposition was postponed until
next year.
Noble Institute.
The most interesting debate was upon
the acceptance of a proposition made by
Grace church of Admission. 1t seems
that this parish has come into possession
of the property known as the Noble In
stitute for Girls, and desires that 1t be
preserved for it's original purpose as
church school, This can be done by the
diocese becoming owner of the property.
The proposition Is for q sale at nominal
figure, but the sale cannot be made until
the Diocese of Alabama secures $4,000
endowment. for the school to assure its
preservation.
There were some who thought this too
much of burden on the diocese, and
others. knowing the magnificent property
and realizing the great value Of church
school for girls, thought the authorities
of the diocese should have the support OF
the council in their endeavor to raise
this sum- The matter was endorsed by
the council.
Diocesan Missions.
The theme that came uppermost
throughout the meetings was diocesan
missions or church extension in the
Diocese of Alabama. This was presented
on two evenings of the council Ihere
was encouragement in the report OF the
treasurer OF diocesan missions who closed
the year with a good balance. In fact,
In every treasury there was balance.
The endowment for the Episcopate now
being 100000 It was determined to use
the entire income and thus reduce the
assessment on the parishes for diocesan
expenses one half. The spirit OF the
church for progress was very evident
when this reduction Of an assessment by
50. 900 was voluntarily added by the par
ishes to their gifts for diocesan missions
Hedging in all for this purpose nearly
$1,000. 1t will result in several additional
clergymen being placed In the state.
The last day Of the session was occu-
MED largely in a consideration of the
work of the Sunday schools Much In
terest was taken In the presentation
by Bishop Beckwith OF what is known as
the Trinity course.
1t bases its instruction on the Book OF
Common Prayer, not using the Bible
class until four grades of this work Is
complete, but so systematic is the In
struction that before the Bible class
proper is reached the child can stand
rigid examination on the chief things OF
Holy Scripture. In this way the course
is a testimony to the essentially scrip
tural character of the Book Of Common
Prayer, and especially to 1t as an inter-
prefer and systematic teacher OF the
contents Of the Bible.
Sunday Schools.
The following are some Of the elections
and appointments: Secretary, the Rev.
r. H. Cobbs, D. D.: treasurer of the do
cese, Mr.. r. II. Cochrane. Tuscaloosa;
treasurer Of the diocesan missionary
fund the Rev. Stewart Mcqueen. Mont
gomery; chairman Of the finance COM
mittee (vice j. G. Murray resigned), the
Rev. j. A. VanHoose; standing commit
tee the Revs. T. ]. Beard, d. d., r. II.
Cobbs, d. D., and Stewart Mcqueen and
Messrs. A. H. Sheppard, w. w. Screws
and w. K. p. Wilson.
The following were the appointments Of
deans for the convocations: Mobile, the
Rev G. C.. Tucker; Montgomery. the
Rev e. e. Cobbs; Selma, the Rev. b. e.
Brown; Birmingham, the Rev j. W. c.
johnson; Huntsville, the Rev. III. w.
Jones.
The council noted with pleasure the
marked ability of Bishop Beckwith as a
presiding officer. His clearness of decis-
Ion and vigor of administration promise
much for the church In Alabama. The
former rector of the Advent, Mr.. Murray,
was greatly missed at this session Of the
council.