The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-10


 % ID. m.-Address by Bishop c. B. = -% Galloway at Jefferson theatre on <- < L. O. c. Lamar.
 ~<<<<<*<<<<%<<<< The general conference of the M. E.. church, south, yesterday increased the number of the general board of education from fifteen to seventeen members. It was maintained on the floor of the con- ference by pr. J. D. Hammond, secretary of the board, that in addition to the in- suficiency of the present force there was no representation whatever on the board from the five conferences in the far west. The proposition went through with but little opposition.
 As soon as this had been done the con- ference changed tactics and reduced the general board of the Epworth league from thirteen to seven members. It was argued by several opponents of the proposition that 1t would be an inconsistency on the part of the conference to adopt the meas ure but Dr. H. M. DuBose editor of the Epyorth Era maintained that there were many notifications of the work of the educational board which required the work of many men, but that the Epworth leagu work was of such nature that it could be better done by small board than by large one
 Resolutions of Sympathy.
 One of the first matters brought to the attention of the conference yesterday morning was the news of the death of the Rev J. C. Bergman of Caledonia, Mo-. who was the sole survivor of the historic conference of 1s44 Resolutions were pre- scented by pr. w. F. McMurry of St. Louis and they were adopted and spread on the journal.
 Soon after the conference convened Bishop Candler, who was presiding, pre- scented Bishop O. P. Fitzgerald and as the venerable figure of the retired bishop ad- vanced to the front of the rostrum the entire audience rose to greet him.
 There was both humor and pathos in what he had to say. q am not we'll" he said Two weeks ago I thought I was about to be taken to another world did not expect to get to this conference and even now I am like the westerner who was called upon to respond to the toast, .Iiterature who said, Shakespeare is gone John Milton is dead and I am not feeling very well myself "
 As Bishop Fitzgerald took his seat Bishop Candler spoke feelingly of the guest and said he could 70 everything but prophecy He said Mark Twain once said this of Bishop Fitzgerald because he had prophesed that the south would never ;,, Ina ri can you expect of a prophet when the Lord goes back on him?"
 Another feature of the morning was the presentation to the conference of the Rev w. S. Mathews of Berlxley, Cal. who along with Vice President Fairbanks is fraternal delegate to this conference from the northern M. E. church. He did not speak yesterday morning and later date will be set aside for speeches from him and from the Vice President.
 Boys League Reorganized. z Among the things adopted by the coE- ference yesterday morning was the rule to recognize the Boys league as part of the Epworth league. The proposition wa s warmly espoused by several delegates on the floor who claimed 1t was necessary to separate the boys from the girls into distinct organization in order to keci, up the interest of the boys in the meet : ings. It was claimed that boys at a cer- tain age do not want anything to do with girls and that they looked upon It as reflection upon them to be classed in the same organization with a lot of little girls.
 Among the things which were not passed was a proposition from the Texas confer
 nrtih Iaa to auire property and to build themselves permanent homes which should be regu- lated by a board of trustees. and should be subject to the general supervision of the conference. The matter caused con- siderable debate, and after time an agreement was reached postponing it un- til this morning. when it will be the first thing on the calendar.
 Slight Raps at Bishops.
 Another thing which was debated at length, but which was defeated, over whelmingly, was a proposed rule to pre- vent the change of a pastor from one an- nual conference to another without the consent of the conference to which he is removed This plan was meant to be a little rap at the bishops. but pr. F. Rich ardson of the Holston conference was the onlv delegate who showed any vgor in nressIng the matter. He made a semi humorous speech which was given close attention by the bishops, and frequently he caused them to burst into laughter. He said he had the highest regard for the bishops and that the proposed measure did not contemplate pulling up the tree bv the roots, but simply meant to prune it A little in order that it should be even more vigorous and should bear finer fruit ,r the future. His voice was about the only one heard in favor of it when the vote was taken
 Among the memorials introduced was nne from the southwest Missouri confer ence having to do with the regulation of
 
 fcontlnued on Eighth PaaeJ