The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-01

Wilmington district now pays % per
cent. more for this than h entire
district paid for all purposes ten
years ago"
F. D.. Swindell, New Bern District.
I'VE have had a good year on this
district, but | feel that we ought to
be able to report more than 400 con-
versions with twenty pastors on this
district. I feel that we need to go
back to some of the old customs of
the church and observe fasting and
family prayer more generally . The
finances of the district are in an en-
couraging condition"
r. A. Willis, Warrenton District
The W~arrentOn district has had a
good year. We have had REVEALS
on most of the charges. Our finances
are not in full, but in advance of last
year"
F. A. Bishop, Washington District
This has been the best year we
have had OIL the Washington District
during my four years on hat dis
trict. Our church property has in
creased by nine churches. During
the our years there have been four
teen or fifteen hundred conversions
OF the district"
J.. E. Underwood, Elizabeth City
District-'We have not had so many
r~evivals as last year, Dut have had
some good r~evivals. All the confer
ence collections are In full. The SAL
aries are in full on all but three
charges. l have helped a number
of the preachers in meetings.
SUPERANNUATED MINISTER'S.
The characters of the superannu-
ated and supernumerary preachers
We're passed mo some these being
present, they made their reports, and
the others were represented by their
presiding elders.
THE CHURCH ORGAN.
Rev. T. \. Ivey submitted an en-
couraging report regarding the con-
ference organ. the Raleigh Christian
Advocate.
Conference adjourned at / p. m.
Rev. NJ. G. Thomas ~pronouncing the
benediction.
. MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY.
This afternoon James Atkins, D. D.,
Will preach, and tonight the mission
airy anniversary will be held. Bishop
Gambler and Rev. Seth Ward, D. D.,
will be the speakers.
" THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The Conference Historical Society
met at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening,
Rev. A. j. Parker, presiding. After
the ueNOllOlldl EXERCISES the lnS
officers were elected for the coming
year:
President-Rev. N. H. D. Wilson.
Vice President-Rev. A. J. Parker.
Secretary-Rev. w. F. Craven.
Treasurer-Rev. A. D. Belts.
MEMORIAL OF REV. ALFRED
NORMAN.
The speaker of the evening was
e J.. n. Cole, pastor Of Grace
church,. Wilmington. His theme was
The life and labOrs of Rev. Alfred
Norman. and the following is a brief
synopsis of this most excellent adj
dress:
Those of US who have known the
late William Capers Norman know
that there must nave been some great
ancestry back of him. He must have
been the son OF Il great father. This
father. Alfred Norman, belonged to
the heroic race of Methodist preach
ers. Upon them hung the great re-
sponsibilities Of the day. They seemed
to have no desire to have their
content 10 have them written on
high.
Alfred Norman was born in the
twilight Of the eighteenth century in
1904. His place Of nativity was in
Washington, y. c. Here it was that
he developed those characterIStIcs OF
bravery and herOisnn.
AT this time Francis Asbury ana
other early leaders Of Methodism
were beginning their labOrs. In the
midst OF such scenes Alfred Norman
developed into d youth Of physical
and moral strength.
His mother was a woman of great
strength of character, such a woman
as that her children rose up and call.
ed her blessed.
Alfred Norman's father died VIII
he was quite young, and the boy be-
came a very helpful factor in his
mothers home. He received a com
mon school education, and when MOI
in school assisted his mother in the
work of her farm. He was converted
in 1919, and in 1928 was admitted
On trial into the Virginia conference
which then included much territory
! in North Carolina.