The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-09
NEGRO METHODISTS
THIRD DAYS SESSION OF ANNUAL
 CONFERENCE.
Ministers and Lay Delegates of Zion Church Make Encouraging Re-
 ports and Hear Several Sermons at old Ship.

\ The third days session of the Gen. tral Alabama Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, opened yesterday under favor able circumstances.
 Among the prominent arrivals at the conference are Rev. c. L. Blackwell, D. D., of Philadelphia, General and Missionary Secretary; Rev. J. F. Moor- land, Ph. D., manager of the publica- tion house at Charlotte, N. C.; Dr. w. H. Coffey of Philadelphia. Church Ex- tension Secretary; Dr. J. s. Jackson of Birmingham, and Prof. S G. Atkins. Educational Secretary of Winston Salem. N. c.
 Rev. George c. Clement. D., editor of The Star of Zion, who came in Thursday night. preached an able and impressive sermon from the text. T know that my Redeemer liveth.m
 Devotional exercises were conAucted by Bishop J. w. Alstork, assisted by Revs. S. Derry, D. D., and M. Barker. The bishop read from Second Corin- thians, 3rd chapter Because of the immense quantity of business to come pensed with. Dr. Scott was introduced and spoke to the delegation. His speech was heartily applauded.
 Dr. Coffey spoke of his work. He said that within the last few months this department had helped to build eighteen churches and saved several from the sheriff's hammer.
 pr. Blackwell said that the condition Of the general church was never bet ter. He spoke eneouragingiy Of the mission work at home. urging that greater efforts should be, and must be. exerted for foreign fields
 Professor Atkins spoke highly of the interest that. Is being manifested by his church in the cause of education. He said that greater efforts had never been made by the people, nor sacrifices by the ministers as whole for It's cause than now. He was loud in his praise of the success of Greenville High School of this State, located at Greenville The ministers of the con- ference have contributed. voluntarily, about $400 for this school during the kyear.
 Prof. S. B. Boyd is principal. and spoke of the work being done at the school. D. J. F. Moorland. general manager of the publication house, said that the subscription to The Star of Zion was nearly 12.000. He was quite humorous In his remarks. He said that the puipits are calling Tor prepared men, and he was glad 10 know that Bishop Alstork Is seeing to 1t that the men coming into his con- ference purchase the required books and pursue their studies. The publi- cation house Is combination of de- partments and a printing plant at Char lotte, N. C., valued at S5o,OO0.
 Their financial headquarters are To- cated at Philadelphia. Pa.
 Rev. U. s. Jackson, D. D., in remarks pleasing to his conference, urged that Zion in Alabama should not content herself until she occupies the front ranks as a State, numerically, finan- ciaIly and second to none educationally. At present, North Carolina leads. It's leading educational institution. Liv- ingston College, is located at Sails bury, \, c.
 Professor Paterson of the State Nor- nal School was intrduced and ad- dressed the conference in pleasing manner
 Bishop Alstork said that so great had been the increase of the two confer ences in this State under his judisdic- ton that he thought strongly or es- tablishing another conference.
 They have in the State four con- ferences, three of which are now in session.
 Amanda S. wadkin and Mary Dungee were introduced. The latter spoke to the conference and made touching appeal fin the interest of Hale Infirm- ary. The conference gave hperai contribution.
 Reys. w. H. Finley and A. s. Wad- kin, presiding elders, made excellent reports. Their districts are in good condition.
 The pastors submitted very credit able reports. Dr. E. P. Mayo, D. D.. pastor of the Old Ship, this city, made a report that brought forth cheers. His report showed that the church Is free from debt and more than $3,0o0 has been raised during the year. The con ference is convened in this church.
 Revs. L. S. Howard and L. D. Jones were received as transfers to this con, ference. Rev. L. w. Cowan, fraternai messenger from the Western North Carolina conference, was introduced His greetings will be delivered today.
 Last nights session of the conference at the Old Ship Church took the form of special missionary meeting presid- eda over by Ada NJ. Hannon of Green vile, who is vice-president of the Wo- mans Home and Foreign Mission So- ciety. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. D. Bunkley and the Scripture lesson was read by Rev M. C. Glover.
 In introducing the presiding officer of the Mission Society, Bishop Alstork said that the object of the meeting was three-fold, first to keep before the so- ciety the great missionary cause, sec- ond to create more profound enthusi- asm In the work and third for receiv- ing liberal contributions for furthering the work.
 Rev c. L. Blackwell, general mis. sionary secretary of Philadelphia, who delivered the principal address of the evening, said that the church had al- ready raised sS,000 for missionary work. Three hundred million souls in the foreign fields were groping in darkness, they were deserving of heIp and the church should do @ reasonable part toward helping these people.
 Following the address. a uberal amount was raised for missionary pur- poses.
 The conference will be in session throughout today. Among the orders for today will be number of reports from officers and committees. Whether or not you vvImh to fuHure 1t will give us great pIsaeure fo show