Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-11-25
The Memphis Conferences.

A dispatch from Jackson last
week says!
The Memphis Conference Of the NJ.
e. Church, South, opened its yearly
session In this city today, with Bishop
J. S. Key, of Sherman, Tex, presiding.
The bishop read part of the fifth
chapter of Matthew as a lesson, taking
what is known as the "beatitudes" as
o basis for some striking and helpful
remarks. He said, In part: at was
great surprise to the disciples to
hear about poverty Of spirit etc.
When a man is accused falsely he can
stand 1t, but suppose he knows the
charges are true? Then he is ratified;
he Is disturbed. And finally, we are,'
said the Master, the salt of the earth
Preachers should be the best of salt
and the most of it. But IL the salt
have lost its SAVIOR, wherewithal shall
it be salted?' 1t is nearly impossible
to restore backslider, especially a
backslidden preacher; he Is good for
nothing. If he gives up and goes
back to the world he cannot succeed.
He is good for nothing"
After an earnest prayer by the pre-.
siding bishop the secretary of the last
session called the roll and large
number answered to their names. A.
j.. Meadows was reelected secretary.
w. j. Mccoy, assistant secretary; L.
D. Hamilton, statistical secretary.
The usual committees were nominated
by the presiding elders.
A resolution was offered by w. G..
Sellars and w. G. Hefley, calling for
the appointment of one man, who
should take charge of all the moneys
coming into the conference, this plan
to be put into effect one year hence.
The resolution was adopted.
The report from the publishing
house was read and showed a large
increase in the volume of business.
The church now has the publishing in.
terests located at Nashville, Dallas,
Tex, and Shanghai, China. Almost
all of the periodicals are now paying
expenses. Some are bringing in hand
some dividends.
The board that represents the en-.
dowment fund for the widows, or
phans and worn out preachers asked
that the Easter offerings be set apart
for their fund. The request was re-
ferred to the joint board Of finance.
The report Of the Memphis Confer
ence Female Institute was read, which
showed a large attendance and good
signs Of prosperity.
Rev. John Randle, now the Oldest
member of the conference, and who
was admitted into the conference on
trial in 1S41, made talk to the con-
ference that was full of tenderness.
Others of the old men spoke. These
worn out brethren have the sympathy
of the entire body. The church makes
provision for the support of the worn
out men. This is the easiest fund for
superannuation In an old man, viz,
which we have to provide. The bish-
op said there were two signs of real
when he can't sleep in shed room as
dren romping and feels that he wants
to straighten them out. Then he Is
an old man and should be placed on
the superannuated list. The old men
render good service in the respective
places where they reside. Thirty-nine
undergraduates in the conference have
taken the correspondence course Of
study provided by Vanderbilt Univer-
sity and thirty-two of the number
have completed the course of study.
Special prayer was offered for some
sick.
Rev. G. T. Sullivan, presiding elder
Of the Memphis district, stated when
his name was called, that Methodism
in and near Memphis has maze splen-
did progress. Several new churches
have been built and much Of the old
Indebtedness on older churches has
been paid.
Rev. w. D. jenkins, presiding elder
of the Brownsville district, made an
encouraging report of his work. This
district reports $500 excess on mis-
sionary claims.
Rev. ]. w. Blackari, presiding elder
of the Jackson district spoke Of his
district as in fine condition. Several
good church buildings are in process
of erection, one especially at Milan,
which is to cost $4,000.
Rev. G. w. Wilson, presiding elder
of Dyersburg district, said that he
thought that the pastors salaries will
be paid in full. All the presiding eld.
ers passed with good reports. The
conference is we'll on the way.