The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-12
AFRICAN METHODISTS
BUSY v SESSIONS WE'RE HELD
 YESTERDAY.
Good Collections Reported from Each Department of Work-Bishop Gaines Advising With
 Presiding Elders.

Yesterdays session of the Alabama Con- ference of the African Methodists was one of the most interesting of the meet ings held.
 Rev. J. A. Davis of Tennille Circuit led the devotional services at the opening of the morning session which was in a large measure devoted to the consideration of the practical workings of the temporal economies of the denomination within the Alabama Conference. The discussions were at all times marked by intense in- terest on tho part of the brethren who were called upon to explain the causes for growth or failure of the charges over which they had been given pastoral direc- tion.
 The presiding elders. who constitute the advisory cabinet of the Bishop are en- gagged in canvassing the qualifications of the several ministers and the require ments of the people to whom they must supply pastors.
 The Presiding Elders have the bearing becoming to the ministry and Bishop Gaines has given public expression of his confidence in their ability to adminis- ter wisely the charge committed to them. They watch carefully the reports submit ted by their preachers and are not slow to attempt to release from embarrassment brethren whose reports do not reach the required standard, when they believe the pastors to have measured up to the possi- bilities incident to their environment.
 Rev. R. L. Pope reported for the En- dowment Fund S2O9.sS. An appeal made in behalf of the fund for completion of Gaines's Hall of Payne University at Sel- ma, resulted in a collection of $103.92 du- ring the morning session.
 c. M. Wells, District Secretary of the National Baptist Conventions; Rev. N. w. Nealy of the Baptist Church; J. W. Giles, the suffrage agitator; Rev. 8. W. Taylor; Rev. G. w. L. Talley of the North Ala bama Conference and Rev. Dr. Yelling ton, Presiding Elder: Rev Watkins, both of the A. NJ. E. Zion Church, were the visitors introduced.
 Rev. Robert c. Dickerson reported So.S for the Committee on Fund for Publica- ton of the minute of conference.
 Several workers in the Womans Home and Foreign Missionary Society were in- troduced. It is their purpose to be pres ent and assist at the women's meeting to be held this afternoon at St. Johns Church in the interest of the missionary preachers of the conference.
 Dr. Frazier, Presiding Elder of the Troy District, submitted the report of Commit tee in charge of the contingent fund.
 Rev. Elias H. Miller of Wilama Circuit, reported $36 75 as having been contributed for the purposes of the WOman's Mission ary Society.
 pr. H. B. Parks, Missionary Secretary, made touching farewell remarks.
 The contributions of this session to the general fund for support of Bishops, ofi1- cers of the departments of publication. editing of church papers and missions and for needy students and for support of del- egates during the General Conference at Chicago aggregates &1,797.s3 for church extension, $S67.35. and for the special de- pertinent of education, $29S.s
 The Committee on Missions, Circuits and Stations spent much time during yes terday in defining the boundaries of the Circuits and arranging for new missions.
 Last night the Bishops cabinet of Pre- siding Elders met to provide for supply ing the several charges with pastors for the next conference year.
 The Night Session.
 The night service was attended by Q large and attentive congregation. A hearty song service was entered into by the ministers present. Revs. J. P. Pett. a superannuated elder, J. A. Davis and D. s. Samuel being especially prominent in conducting the service.
 Rev. w. Fl. Bowen read the report of the Committee on Education, note the following expressions of the Committee: We are told by those who have carefully studied the present condition of the race that nearly 50 per cent of those born since slavery can read and write. we are wo to hope this Is true, for one comes such an alarming measure of ignorance and. worst of all. indifference, that one is forced to believe that many of us consid- CT ignorance to be bliss"
 Discussion of the report was postponed to this morning.
 Rev. F. H. Goodman had been appointed to preach. The sermon to which the con- gregation attentively listened was an ex- cellent one, the subject being Religious Principle" from the text, And besides this, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue" 2 Peter i:5
 The sermon being ended c. M. Wells, District Secretary of the National Bap- tist Convention. on request of Bishop Gaines. addressed the meeting. His re marks were full of cheer and were well received by the assembly.
 Another prominent visitor to the confer ence is Rev. F. c. Henderson, President of Payne University at Selma.
 The Chinese Idea of Humor.