The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-18
.PRESBYTERY HAS
 ENDED ITS WORK Fine Report from Churches of
 North Alabama
  AN ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK n Attendance Good, But Family Worship eeleoted-Presbytery Adjourned to Meet at Good
 water Next Fall.
AN ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK

The North Alabama Presbytery, which has been in session for the past five days at the Second Presbyterian church. ad- journed yesterday evening at o'clock until the fall meeting, which will be held at Goodwater The closing day was filled with business, including the reports of several committees. The most important of these was probably that of the com mittee on narratives, which investigated the narratives of the thirty-two churches which reported to the Presbytery. The re- port was as foeows:
 Your committee begs leave to submit the following report on the state of re- ligion in the North Alabama Presbytery; The general tone of the narratives pre- sented Is decidedly optimistic, indicating growth activity. liberality and com mendable Christian department. The facts furnish great reason for encouragement and gratitude to God.
 Fine Attendance.
 '@The reports upon the matters of at tendance upon public worship, Sabbath observance, benefciaries and payment of salaries are specially encouraging eX- cepting that while reporting splendid att tendance upon morning service many deplore the neglect of the evening service. While the narratives do not give the figures, yet they indicate a high degree of liberality, especially in the way of aggressive work within our own bounds. With two exceptions every church reports not only that the salary has been paid, but that it has been paid promptly.
 While very few churches evidence any special manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit yet they indicate very unmistakably that His power has been felt, quickening the churches into new life and activity. We are not to recognize His presence simply in grand revivals, but also in the steady growth, the vigor- ous life, the benefcenee and Christian de- pertinent
 Family Worship.
 'The one point upon which there is an almost universal confession of failure is the matter of family worship There is a general lament of the neglect of this side of the religious life. Next to this is the confession of the neglect of the training of children by parents in the Bible and eatechisms. When we remember that the home Is the foundation of re- ligious life we realize that this Is a very grave matter, demanding the serious att tention of sessions.
 "Quite number of churches are en- gagged in evangohistic work. Of the thirty two narratives twelve claim to be en- gagged in such work.
 Tn view of all the facts we feel that we have reason for profound gratitude to God for all He has been doing in our midst. H. w. FLYNN,
 Chairman"
 The Rev. J. w. McIlwain, president of the proposed Presbyterian college, spoke in the interest of the institution, and offered resolution that no boy be turned away from the school, no matter what his religion, or what class he wished to enter. This resolution was adopted. The committee on ministerial education recommended that all young preachers work in the mission churches for the first year after they leave the Theological seminary This recommendation was adopted by the Presbytery
 resolution was passed. authorizing the trustees of the Presbytery to turn over to the Presbytery all rights, titles and interests in certain property. The Presbytery, on motion. instructed Dr. L. S. Handley to convey In behalf of the North Alabama Presbytery to the Ensley church certain property.
 The Rev. F. B. Pendleton was given a letter of dismsslon to the St. Louis Presbytery. The reports of the seminary committee and the committee on negro evangelization were adopted.
 At II o'clock the Presbytery adjourned and the Rev Sterling J. Foster of the South Highlands Presbyterian church. delivered a sermon from the last chapter of Paurs letter to the Ephesians
 The Rev. F. Marston was granted evan gelieal powers in the Goodwater group of churches. After that the Presbytery adjourned