The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-26
METHODISTS IN
 ANNUAL SESSION North Alabama Conference Con-
 veneS at Tuscumbia BISHOP SMITH PRESIDING Number of Elders Make Interesting Re- port Showing Progress Made By
 the Churches In Their Dis
 trict-Attendanc Large.
BISHOP SMITH PRESIDING

Tuseumbia, November 25.-(Special)- The thirty-fourth annual session of the North Alabama conference of the Meth odist Episcopal church, south com meneed In the First Methodist church in this city this morning at o'clock, Bishop A. Coke smith presiding This is the first conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. south ever held in Tuscumbla though the town is one of the oldest in the state and it's citizenship is largely Methodist. The church in which the con ference is being held has recently been remodeled The same building has been used by the Methodists for seventy-fye years
 Devotional exercises were conducted by Bishop Smith After the devotional exer- cises were concluded the conference pro- | ceeded to organize. Dr. J. W Newman pastor of the Talladega church was unan- | lmously elected secretary. Dr. Newman has served as secretary for the past twen- ty-hye years. He named as assistant sec ! retafies the following: T. C. Banks keener N. Matthews, w. E. Morris, ]. A J. Brock, R. E. Tyler, E. Il. Glenn and R. T. Black. The organization naving been completed roll call was ordered which showed a large number of ministers and delegates present.
 Presiding Elders Report.
 The presiding elders made the following report on nominations Public worship, S. L. Dobbs, chairman; George Stoves F. L. Abernathy; books and periodicals, | J. 5. Roberts chairman; Z A. Downing, | T. w. Regan. c. Wolford J. F. Sturdi- want, D. M Isbell, Walter Kelly, R. H. Jones, G. T. Harris, w. B. Hope confer enee relations, T. G. Slaughter chair man, l.. A. Dorsey J. O. Hanes M. N. Morris. w. M. Howell, c. (. O'Neal and J. ". Tucker; district conference records, E. B. Almon. chairman; S. B. Smith T. F.. Miller, R. F. Lovelady, ". c. D. Cook, R. L. Bradley J. H. Harris, George Me Eldry, W. F. Herndon and J. H. Leslie; memoirs, J. w Newman, chairman; T. A Kerr J. T. Black; temperance J. T. Milliken, chairman; T. G. Mackey, Frank Troupe, J. w. Spain, B. W. Cunningham. J. M McCleskey, J. T. Williams, H. l.. Aldridge, T. o. Jones' O. L. Millilxen, c. D. Drskel and T. B. McCann Sabbath, R. l. Walston chairmau w. w Dorman, R. A Thompson, J. w. Spain, J. H. Yam, w. l.. Rice w. R. Beale w. D. Draper, G. w. Hall and c. Shirley.
 1 A resolution by the Rev. w. T. An- drews the Rev. J. II. Mccoy and w P. Bradford, providing for the appointment of a treasurer for the North Alabama conference was adopted, and the follow ing names for the position were placed in nomination: W. T. Andrews, T. C. Banks, J. B. Wadsworth, J. w. Rodney and w. P. Bradford. The names of T c. Banks J. w Rodney and w P. Brad ford were withdrawn and Oh a division !, w. T. Andrews was elected receiving 95 votes. J. B. Wadsworth received 65. communication was received from the anti saloon league, which was referred tc the committee on temperance, also communication from the Baptist Asso. ciation of Alabama in regard to tenn perance. Communications from the agents of the publishing house and the secre. tary of the board of church extension and missions, were referred without read ing to their respective boards and com mittees. Communications from the board of education, Sunday school board and general secretary of the Erworth League were referred to their respective boards without reading.
 Encouraging Report Read.
 A most encouraging report second , one from the board of missions, signed by w. R. Lambeth and Seth Ward, was read to the conference. The Rev E. M f Glenn offered a resolution, which was I unanimously adopted. have Bishop Smitf preach the Thanksgiving sermon tornor. 6 TOW A. J. Chappel was unanimously } elected conference postmaster The bishop called the twentieth question and in re sponse the presiding elders made theil reports The Rev J. B. Simpson, pre-
 
 reported all assessments paid in full SS500 $60000 for rAchurches and parson- | ages; six new churches and two new par sonages; increase of membership 1000 S26,000 for support of the ministry; $110,- coo for all purpere es as against $70000. The Rev. J. c. Pursinger, presiding elder oi the Decatur district, was absent but the report was made by the Rev. J. D. Ellis This report showed everything paid up in full and a gain of 400 members. The Rev S. L. Dobbs presiding elder of the Flor ence district, reported a gain of So7 mem bers, all assessments paid and thirteen new churches in course of erection, rep resenting about s36,000
 Gadsden District.
 The Rev. J. R. Turner, presiding elder of the Gadsden district, reported eight new churches constructed and six Tn con temptation, with all assessments paid. The Rev. Ed F'ulmer, presiding elder of the Jasper district reported a gain of 500 tc 1000 members; four new churches, anc two others planned. The Rev. w. F. An drews, presiding elder of the LaFayettt district reported that in his district dur ing the past year they had HOO conyer- sions and had built four new churches with all assessments paid. The Rev. J. T | Williams, presiding elder of the Gunters- | vile district The Rev. P. 10. Boyd, pre- | siding elder of the Huntsville district and the Rev l.. c. Branscomb, presiding elder of the Tuscaloosa district, alsc made reports showing a highly encourag ing condition in their respective districts The Rev. J. S. Marks superannuated, thu | oldest member of the conference, made very interesting talk to the conference { The following visitors to the confer , | ence were introduced: The Rev. MT. Stow | CT. the Rev. MT. Shackleford and tn Rev. S. M. Cheney of the Tennessee con Y florence, the Rev. Mir. Booth of the Wes :. | Texas conference, theeRev. Mir. Notesteel . | of the Louisiana conference, the Rev k T. IT. Jones of the Alabama ophanage the Rev. s. NJ Hosmer of Nashville, rep g resenting the publishing house of tn a Methodist Episcopal church, south
 Bishop Galawoy will arrive tonight an will remain until the close of the con