The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-10
PRESBYTERY WAS
 MOST HARMONIOUS
Division of Presbytery Was
 Most Important Matter
THE HOME MISSION FIELD
The Rev. Mr. Craig of sessemer Was Chosen Evangelist and Financial secretary-Has Not Yet Ae-
 cepted the Position.

The Rev. Dr. L. s. Handley returned yesterday from Goodwater, where the North Alabama presbytery had been In session for three days The sessions were most interesting and harmonious.
 Regarding a division of the presbytery Dr. Handley said that as far as that body was concerned it had been agreed to, but that before this action could De- come final it would have to be approved by the synod, which convenes at Ohioh Springs in the early part of November The change will let out about ten min isters and twenty churches situated Ill the northern counties. These counties will still retain the appellation of the North Alabama presbytery, while the newly created body after much discussion was designated as the Birmingham pres bytery
 Reason for Division.
 The brethren of the northern section prayed for the division on account of the extreme distance between the north and south, and no opposition was offered. This matter was probably the most inn portant one up for discussion and was only settled after careful and prayerful consideration as to the real necessity and the advisbility of such a change.
 Home Mission Field.
 Another very important matter before the presbytery was the home mission field. Hitherto this branch of work was in charge of some pastor, but it was de- cided that a pastor could not fulfill dual duties; so it was decided to establish an- other offce that of evangelist and finan- cial secretary of home missions.
 This offce with a salary of $250 and all expenses, was offered to the Rev. MT. Craig of Bessemer, who has not yet eith- CT accepted or refused the offer Dr. Handley said that the presbytery sin cerey hopes he will accept it as the members consider him apt and well able to fill this important office. Dr. Hand- ley, in his statement last night, made mention of this significant fact that in 1874 there was only one Presbyterian church in Jefferson county; now it is the grand center with a membership of nearly 90OO. Of this number 2O0O are in and around Birmingham.
 Jasper was the favored town for the next meeting of the presbytery in April. Ensley, Bessemer and Birmingham also tried to secure the favor for the next meeting, but on the matter being put to a vote Jasper won.
 The presbytery sermon to be preached in Jasper was assigned to the Rev U. D. Mooney, pastor of the Second Presbyter- ian church of Birmingham His subject will be Adoption"
 The Rev. E. D. McDougall of Florence was appointed to remain over Sunday with the Goodwater church.
 The Narrative.
 The following narrative was read and adopted:
 First-There are many encouraging fea- lures in our beloved Zion and much to cheer us in our Masters work. We would call special attention to the churches at Columbiana, Oxford, Jacksonville and Hatchett Creek, and commend them as examples unto the other churches as one-third of their members are reported as having family worship. The majority of our churches having very few family altarg erected.
 Second-Your committee would call at tention to a very noticeab ble disregard of Sabbath observance. The going to the postoffice, pleasure riding, Sunday dinners and erroneous ideas concerning the keep ing of that day. We recommend that a sermon be preached on the subject from each pulpit in the presbytery
 Third-The attendance on public worship is encouraging. and the liberality of some of the churches is to be commended.
 Fourth-The training of the children in the catechisms of the church is neglected in some of our churches. We urge it upon the pastors to bring this matter to the attention of Sunday school superinten- dents.
 Fifth-We notice that a special work of grace has been poured out upon some of the churches and that the Spirit of God is nightly at work convincing and regenerating sinners.