The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-18
MANY WILL ATTEND
 THE CONFERENCE
SOUTHWESTERN STUDENT CON. FERENCE OF THE Y. M. c. A. WILL BE HELD AT HUSTON, LA, DECEMBER 24-3o.

The Southwestern Student conference. which meets at Rushton, La, during the holidays, promises to be one of the geat- est that has ever been held in the south. It Is expected that there will be present between one hundrd and fifty ana two hundred delegates from the different col leges of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indian Territories. There will be held in the United States every year six of these con- ferences. Up to this time last year all of the southern colleges have been send ing delegates to the conferences at Ash vile, N. C., but on account of the great distance from the southwestern states it was thought best to organize another. It is largely due to these conferences and the visits of the international and state student secretaries that the $50 college Young Mems Christian associations in the United States and Canada are so well organized today and that during this last year there were enrolled as member over 00oo; in daily Bible study 250OO and in mission study, 15.0o0 Among the list of speakers this year at Rushton are: Messrs. John R. Mott, New York; Fletcher S. Brockman, Shanghai, China; the Rev W. D. Brassfeld, St. Louis: Dr. w. B. Phillips Richmond, Va, and c. L. Gates. Atlanta, Ga.
 During the mornings of the conference the time will be devoted to instructing tho leaders in the different phases of college Y. M. c. A. work. The entire afternoon will be devoted to some kind of athletics, such as football. baske ball. tennis. and other games. The life work meetings that will be held just at sunset every af- ternoon will be very interesting and in- structive The accommodations which have been arranged by w. D. Weather ford, who will conduct the conference, are going to be excellent.
 In spite of the fact that nearly all of the Alabama colleges sent delegates to the Waynesville conference last summer, large number of them are going to send men to Ruston. Among the Alabama col leges who will send large delegations are: Owenton College, Marion Military Insti- ute and Florence Normal Conege which has just recently been organized A large number will also go from Birmingham, among them are: c. H. Moorman, secre- tary; general secretary Birmingham Y. M. C. A.. B. s. Huggins. college seore- tary; Maurice Willows and c. w. Will lows, assistant state secretaries; Ralph S. Barrow, C. D. Massey, F. B. Clark and others.
 In connection with this student confer ence there will also be held a training in- stitute for the benefit of the city and town Young Mems Christian associations in the south and southwest. The insti- tute will be under the direction of the international committee, with the cooper alton of state and local secretaries of the fnrritorfac fhat If Two sions will be held each day, and the insti- ute and student conference will unite in attendance at the daily platform meet ings of the college men. Each session will be devoted to practical exposition and discussion of some problem or phase of city association work by leader in the southern field. The Bible classes of the student conference will be open to those attending the institute, where prac- ticable.
 This conference will not only be enjoy able and helpful to general secretaries, assistant secretaries and physical direc- tors, but will be equally beneficial to members of the association committees and active members. Young meen look ing forward to the secretaryship will find splendid opportunities for training. Young men from communities not having asso- citations who desire training in Bible teaching and in methods of organized Christian work for young men are also invited.
 The institute will open the morning ses- sion Saturday, December 24. and close with t.ne evening session Friday, Decem- Der 30. Rooms will be secured and meals served in the Ruston Industrial Institute To attend these conferences will require sacrifices on the part of men who attend causing them to forego spending tho Christmas week at home, but the benefits received in special training for Christian work will more than repay them for sucf sacrifice.
 Last year nearly one hundred college men attended the first session of this con, ference. The standard of work was SC high and the success and enthusiasm SC great that the industrial committee de cided to make it permanent thing.
 The management of the Louisiana In dustrial Institute has generously placed the use of the college buildings and dor mitories at the disposal of the conference free of cost.