The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-08
CONFERENCE AT OpELIKA.
African Methodists Holding Fertieth AnnuaI gesnf0n.

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 Opelika, Dec. 7.--The forticth sos- sion of tho Alabama Conference of tht A. M. E. Zion Church was opened here today at F m. by Rt. Rev. c. W. Clin. ton, A. M., D. D., of Charlotte, N. c. Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District of the A. M. E. Zion Church.
 Presiding Elders Revs. B. M. Gudger J. c. Laramore, T. J. McMilIan and J Gomez assisted the bishop in conduct ing the devotional services.
 The bishop gave an excellent and in. structive discourse from the 52d chap. ter of Isaiah, the lesson read. exhort- ing the ministers to faithfulness in preaching and instructing the people In the blessed truths of the Gospel. He said that much of the preaching of today is improbable because the minds and hearts of the people arc not properly prepared by a diligent use of means of grace and consistent and conscientious living; and that this fruitlessness Is due. in a large meas ure, to an improper method of pre- senting the truths of the Gospel and that a sermon is not as Sam Jones s lecture, "a medley of fact. fun and philosophy" but a positive and effec- tual presentation of Gods Word.
 The conference was organized with Prof. c. H. Henderson. Secretary; Revs. W. F. Madison. B. M. Brooks and J. W. Smith. assistants; Revs. J. W. Hicks and W. H. Harmon. marshals; Rev. N. 1T. Holloway. postofice messenger; Rev. o. r. o'Neai, reporter to The Star of Zion; Rev. P. c. Alexander, reporter to The Montgomery Advertiser and other papers.
 After some preliminary remarks and greetings by the bishop, he announced the program for the running of the conference.
 Rev. j. T. McMillan, Presiding Elder of the Tuskegee District, who was ap- pointed to preach the opening sermon preceding the administration of the Holy Communion. preached an excel lent and impressive sermon from Luko X, 20. on The return of the seventy"
 The attendance at the opening of the session was good. Tho following gen. cral officers are present: Rev. Nj. R. Franklin of Philadelphia, Financial Prof. S. c. Atkins, Secretary of Education, Winston Salem, N. C.; also Rev. l.. W. Kyle. Fraternal Mes senger from the Western North Caro- lima Conference; Mrs. c. W. Clinton, who is representing pr. W. H. Coffey. of the Church Extension De- partment. This conference embraces four presiding elder districts, with six ty-one active pastors. having a follow ing of 6.500 members.
 The afternoon session was taken up in collecting the finances from the pas- tors, which showed a large increase over last year.
 At the evening session, Rev. L. w. KyIes preached an edifying and in- structiye sermon. setting forth Gods great love for man and the benefits and blessings that come to him by his a hiding in this mighty love
 He said, abiding in Gods love gives peace and power; and this abiding ex- istence Is sustained by faith, prayer and prayerful and careful study of Gods word. ~
 The second day of the conference was opened by usual devotional exer- cises, conducted by the bishop, who gave an explicit and edifying comment from the 18th Pslam and Timothy, End chapter After the regular rou- tine of preliminaries, the conference proceeded to the collection of finances from the pastors.
 Rev. F. Fl. Hill. D. D., pastor of Grace A. NJ. F. Zion Church. Charlotte, N. C., and typewriter for the bishop, and Rev. J. M Griff1n of the A. NJ. E. Church were introduced. and l were accorded the privileges of the l conference. Rev. E. L. Madison, pas tor of Hopkins Chapel. Asheville. N. C., | was also introduced to the conference. |
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